Should I get a business degree?

**ZetaBot** · 03-04-2008 04:08 PM

Hi,
I want to start an entertaining website with a blog, links to shops where I sell cafepress clothes and music I produce, and various other entertaining things. I'm also going to sell ad space on the site to generate revenue.

Should I spend a ton of money and get a business degree to make sure I do it right and don't get myself in trouble or can I do something like this by just asking people who know how to do it for advice?

**dreck345** · 03-04-2008 04:29 PM

Zetabot,

A business degree pursuit can take a lot of time and money as an investment. If you are going to be going full-on e-commerce I am sure it would be a wonderful way to get a good foundation to run off of.

For what you are doing, though, you probably dont want to take on such a commitment for an ad-driven entertainment site with a few products on the side. I know it couldn't hurt, but I would go into a business degree for something a bit more involved.

Personally I am going towards a business degree, but my line of work sort of calls for it- at least my long term plans.

Whatever you decide, good luck to ya!

**bostonbrian** · 03-04-2008 05:55 PM

Most business schools DO NOT teach entrepreneurship. They teach a brick and motor approach to planning everything out and executing this type of long term (existing business) strategy. The things you will learn such as accounting, marketing, and in the other courses will be helpful in the future, but a startup is a completely different animal than a corporation like IBM. I would look into an Entrepreneurship program or maybe do a lot of research on the specific areas that you are looking to use, and where you lack experience you can hire out that chunk of work.

-B

**akula** · 03-04-2008 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by ZetaBot

Should I spend a ton of money and get a business degree to make sure I do it right and don't get myself in trouble or can I do something like this by just asking people who know how to do it for advice?

mate, biz degrees qualify ppl to work in certain professions. they're typically not designed to teach entrepreneurship.

do i think you should study entrepreneurship? absolutely, and the best way to do it is through specialist workshops, courses and postgraduate studies.

at your age, if you wanna learn startups, the better option is enroll in things like junior achievement international, or the various kauffman initiatives

**ZetaBot** · 03-05-2008 06:48 PM

I'm 24 and I have a B.S. in a non-business related field. Is that last bit of age-related advice still appropriate for me?

**BusinessAdviser** · 03-05-2008 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by bostonbrian

Most business schools DO NOT teach entrepreneurship. They teach a brick and motor approach to planning everything out and executing this type of long term (existing business) strategy. The things you will learn such as accounting, marketing, and in the other courses will be helpful in the future, but a startup is a completely different animal than a corporation like IBM. I would look into an Entrepreneurship program or maybe do a lot of research on the specific areas that you are looking to use, and where you lack experience you can hire out that chunk of work.

-B

I'm not offering advice one way or the other, but I will point out that a formal education teaches you more than just how to operate a brick and morter operation. Rather, it teaches you business fundamentals that are applicable whether your business is brick and mortar, internet-based, or both, large or small, local or internation, you name it. The basics are all the same.

**akula** · 03-05-2008 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by ZetaBot

I'm 24 and I have a B.S. in a non-business related field. Is that last bit of age-related advice still appropriate for me?

ummm...no. I wrongly figured that you were just out of highschool, but 24 is a bit old.

it this situation, if you wanna learn entrepreneurship, you need to plug into your local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

what is your geographic location?

**nocci01** · 03-05-2008 08:38 PM

Do you want to get a business degree? It's kind of ironic that most professors are employees teaching people how to run businesses. Is that something a friend, family member or neighbor told you to do or is it your own legitimate question?

Anyhow, if you really want to learn how to build a business...try finding good books or learning from businesses coaches. One of mine is: Welcome to DaniJohnson.com! - Transform Your Life, Explode Your Sales and Skyrocket Your Income Today!. She has helped many people become succesfful as entrepreneurs...real estate agents/owners, sales people, entrepreneurs, etc. Also, network with other entrepreneurs like Akula says.

**pboychuk** · 03-05-2008 08:53 PM

Hmm i havent reaad the previous posts, but if you are planning to solely work as an entrepreneur, I am in the process of getting a business degree, and I know what I will learn in college will be no where near as valuable as what I have already learned running my own businesses. I dont feel its necessary at all. Maybe it will help some, but there is nothing you cant get an accountant for or an IT guy

**hugh009** · 03-10-2008 05:11 PM

Why not look into an ONLINE degree from Western Carolina University in Entrepreneurship? Do you already have a BA? If yes, then look into Western's online degree. If not look into my friends new Entrepreneurship School - Carland College. The Carlands are Jim a husband and wife team that use to teach Entrepreneurship at Western Carolina's online program. They are two of the most respected professors of Entrepreneurship in the USA.

Check out Carland College and tell them the Hugh Simpson sent you.

If you already have a BA then look into Western's online degree where it is only one of TWO Masters offered in the USA. Look up Western Carolina University and you will find my friend and business associate Frank Lockwood teaching where they Carlands let off! Frank has had over 20 businesses before taking this position!

Hugh

**ZetaBot** · 03-11-2008 12:02 PM

I live in Northern Virginia.

**hugh009** · 03-11-2008 07:39 PM

The Carland College is ONLINE and as I mentioned this husband and wife team are two of the most respected professors in the country. I will most likely be helping them by teaching courses in Advertising, Public REALations as I like to call it, and Internet Marketing. I have a Masters in Advertising & PR from the University of Illinois.

Hugh

**pboychuk** · 03-11-2008 09:16 PM

Honestly, how do you feel a business degree will benefit you, I am a business student and i know that 90% of the knowledge i use in business will be learned from experience not in the class room. The only benefit you may draw is in an entrepreneurship program, but im not ever sure about those, also you will have many opportunities to network, and recieved advice from professors, but if you are getting an online degree then you cant really do this

**ron komorowski** · 03-11-2008 09:38 PM

I am an entrepreneur without a degree. I am doing phenominally well at the highest of scales. I WISH I had a degree now for the simple fact I run into technical situations in business that leave me very uneasy and feeling weak at the least.

Yes I can rely on my co-workers or those involved with me but say if I had to play CFO...oh boy...I'd be in trouble! Courses in business law are also so very very important. I worry constantly. Fraud is so easy to mistakenly commit or violate trade laws. The Consumer Protection Agency can have your head for one little mistake. I guess the best way to learn not to make those technical mistakes is in a classroom studying for a degree.

If you can take specialized business courses or get your degree too...all the better. Mid range businesses maybe a degree is not necessary, but to get a little bigger you will need to educate yourself somehow. Good luck and enjoy your venture!

Ron
Inventor of Handi-Straps

**james905** · 03-11-2008 10:17 PM

If your business is pure play maybe you should consider a diploma in a computer science related course rather than a business degree. That way you can create an awesome website and take marketing or accounting electives. I am studying business at university right now and there is only one entrepreneurship course available at my school. Don't go for a degree to if all you need to know are the different business laws and specific little things as you will be investing 4+ years of your life for acquiring skills you may never need or use, (assuming you already have your business all set up and are not looking for any professional designation).