Success Stories in Entrepreneurism

An entrepreneurship degree opens the doors to success for small business ventures. Unlike a general business degree, which focuses on all aspects of the business world, the entrepreneurship degree prepares the student specifically for pursuing their small business goals.

n difficult economic times, small businesses are less likely to let go of employees than large corporations. This is because they have "less fat to cut" and are more dedicated to their employee base. Pursuing a degree in entrepreneurism allows you to join this world of small business.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides statistics on the importance of small businesses to the economy. In 2008, small businesses played an integral part in keeping the economy afloat through the recession:

• Over 10 million people were self-employed thanks to small business ventures
• 57.88% of goods producing in the United States is due to entrepreneurism
• 48.72% of services provided in the United States is through small businesses
• 75% of new jobs are provided by small businesses

There are success stories about entrepreneurs without an entrepreneurship degree; however, the entrepreneurship degree equips the student with a fundamental skill set they might otherwise glean from mistakes and bad decisions that have repercussions on their business venture. Some of the skills learned while studying entrepreneurship are:

• The value of creation and the generation of growth: An entrepreneurship degree helps a student understand the process and ways with which to negotiate with huge odds
• Research: The student has access and learns how to continue to understand the vast body of knowledge associated with entrepreneurship
• Sustainability: The entrepreneurship degree teaches the student not only about how to pursue their business venture, but how to maintain it, through learning about policies, regulations, and legalities that might slip around their perception while interacting with employees in their startup company
• Students ultimately understand the benefits, possibilities, pitfalls, structures, processes, and different forms of entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the college student's pursuit of dreams and success. Read these success stories about entrepreneurs that succeeded due to their college education:

• Rob Nash and Joe Luis started Extra Innings, an indoor baseball and softball training center based in Middleton, Mass., in 1996. Kids loved the structured learning environment and nice equipment and facilities, and parents loved the price. Nash and Luis began franchising their business in 2004 and now have close to 40 franchises across the country and system-wide sales of close to $15 million.
• Sharelle Klaus, a former dot-com executive, initially had trouble securing a distributor of her dry product, so she shopped the sodas to restaurants and retailers in the Pacific Northwest herself. She hopes to be nationwide in 2007. In the meantime, curious customers and culinary connoisseurs can purchase a multi-pack of her sodas online or by phone by visiting the Dry Soda site.
• In an interview with Catalog Success magazine, Design Toscano co-owner Mike Stopka (he runs the business with his wife Marilyn) said that his business venture was inspired by his travels and love for European culture. Design Toscano markets European exotic products to the American public, including Venetian masks, historical and antique replicas, statues, among others. His biggest initial challenge was money, starting the business with only $6,000.

For prospective college students looking to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship, business management and administration is the way to start for your bachelor's degree. Master's degree programs are available with a focus in entrepreneurship, or the student can continue on to business management on a master's level with electives focusing in entrepreneurship classes. We recommend Jones International University's Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship.