Small business owners and business degree

molamann · 11-30-2009, 06:01 PM

I have a quick question for those of you operating a small business. Do you have a degree in business? If yes, do you believe it made that much of a difference compared to not having one or having a degree in another field?

I'm asking this because more than likely I'll eventually take over my mother's business in precious metals(gold, platinum, etc) and I'm wondering if it's worth biting the bullet for a business degree that I utterly loathe. I mean, I can see the importance of a business degree if I were to go in to corporate business but I just don't see why I need one for running a small business since I'll be learning everything on the job.

Anyone mind chiming in?

azn370z · 11-30-2009, 06:21 PM

If you have the chance to major in business you should because you can learn a lot from biz classes in college. I own a franchise but I didn't graduate with a business degree but I did take Econ and accounting classes.

Nick911sc · 11-30-2009, 06:37 PM

You get out what you put in. If you're going to go to school for a business degree but go with the flow its useless. If you devote time to learn what you need to know in order to run a business successfully as well as make smart investments than it doesn't matter whether you have a degree or you did it on your own.

m4a1mustang · 11-30-2009, 06:49 PM

I think everyone will agree that you don't need one. Like Nick said, if you put a solid effort in you will learn a lot and it will definitely help you as you will have a strong foundation to work off of.

I'd say if you don't want to major in a business related field, you should at least take some business classes. I would think Accounting would be the most beneficial subject for a small business owner to have a good understanding of. If you can run the numbers and make sense of them you will be a better manager and run a better business.

370Zsteve · 11-30-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

I have a quick question for those of you operating a small business. Do you have a degree in business? If yes, do you believe it made that much of a difference compared to not having one or having a degree in another field?

I'm asking this because more than likely I'll eventually take over my mother's business in precious metals(gold, platinum, etc) and I'm wondering if it's worth biting the bullet for a business degree that I utterly loathe. I mean, I can see the importance of a business degree if I were to go in to corporate business but I just don't see why I need one for running a small business since I'll be learning everything on the job.

Anyone mind chiming in?

Ask your mother what she thinks. If she's been running the business for years, ask her what it takes. You can always go to an Adult Ed class and take a course in Quickbooks. The rest of running a business comes down to many many factors. I think dealing in precious metals these days has some serious potential for excitement. Good luck.

KEVTEX · 12-02-2009, 05:21 PM

Learning Quickbooks, managerial accounting and business law would be where I would focus. Tax rules and regulations are important and usually learned outside of the classroom. Some people can pick up a text book a learn on their own. Others seem to need the classroom environment. Good luck on the path you choose.

11-30-2009, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	Small business owners and business degree I have a quick question for those of you operating a small business. Do you have a degree in business? If yes, do you believe it made that much of a difference compared to not having one or having a degree in another field? I'm asking this because more than likely I'll eventually take over my mother's business in precious metals(gold, platinum, etc) and I'm wondering if it's worth biting the bullet for a business degree that I utterly loathe. I mean, I can see the importance of a business degree if I were to go in to corporate business but I just don't see why I need one for running a small business since I'll be learning everything on the job. Anyone mind chiming in?

11-30-2009, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 490	If you have the chance to major in business you should because you can learn a lot from biz classes in college. I own a franchise but I didn't graduate with a business degree but I did take Econ and accounting classes. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

11-30-2009, 06:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I think everyone will agree that you don't need one. Like Nick said, if you put a solid effort in you will learn a lot and it will definitely help you as you will have a strong foundation to work off of. I'd say if you don't want to major in a business related field, you should at least take some business classes. I would think Accounting would be the most beneficial subject for a small business owner to have a good understanding of. If you can run the numbers and make sense of them you will be a better manager and run a better business. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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11-30-2009, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nick911sc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,698 Drives: 2010 Nissan GT-R Rep Power: 20	You get out what you put in. If you're going to go to school for a business degree but go with the flow its useless. If you devote time to learn what you need to know in order to run a business successfully as well as make smart investments than it doesn't matter whether you have a degree or you did it on your own.

12-02-2009, 05:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 16	Learning Quickbooks, managerial accounting and business law would be where I would focus. Tax rules and regulations are important and usually learned outside of the classroom. Some people can pick up a text book a learn on their own. Others seem to need the classroom environment. Good luck on the path you choose.