Women small-business owners, this one is for you.
The tale of the college drop-out who went on to create a unicorn, while being inspiring can also be misleading. As women small-business owners, it is important to not underestimate the value a degree can provide to your business.
Managing finances for a degree and business together is understandably tough and acts as a common deterrent for many entrepreneurs. However, in recent years the education industry has undergone a massive change with online learning becoming the norm, making education accessible and affordable. In addition to traditional bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the concept of certification courses and self-paced classes are now gaining prominence in the industry.
Highly Beneficial For Women Small-Business Owners
For women entrepreneurs, this change can prove to be highly beneficial for the following reasons:
- Convenience
Opting for a self-paced learning program allows you to maintain a healthy balance between managing your business and education. Whether you’re earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can learn at your convenience, allowing you to allocate sufficient time towards your business while learning new skills.
Instead of traditional two to four-year degrees, you can opt for specialized certification courses which can range between a few weeks to a couple of months. Even though these courses are shorter in duration, they cover all facets of the subject area allowing you to develop in-depth knowledge in a short period.
- Credibility
You might ask yourself, is pursuing online education credible? Will it provide any value to my business? The answer is yes.
Major organizations such as Google and Facebook provide certifications and training oriented specifically towards small business owners. Through their courses, one can learn about the latest digital market trends, data analytics, performance marketing, and much more.
Additionally, many major universities have launched an array of online degrees and certifications in the following fields:
- Data Science
- Law
- Programming
- Finance
- Operations
- Economics
More Reasons
3. Affordability
As mentioned before, the financial cost of attaining a degree is a hindrance many entrepreneurs face. Pursuing a traditional bachelor’s or master’s degree can cost between $40,000 and $100,000.
Online learning makes pursuing a degree more affordable. As classes are online you save thousands of dollars on not having to pay for college accommodation, food, and travel. This is valuable money you can invest in your business to buy inventory, hire employees and pay vendors.
Additionally, there are hundreds of certification courses provided by the above-mentioned organizations and universities that are free of cost!
- Applicability
To reap the true benefits of any credential, you need to put your learnings into practice. The wide variety of options provide you with the freedom to choose courses depending on the areas you aspire to develop knowledge and skills in.
If you are looking to increase online sales of your products pursuing a Digital Marketing certificate is ideal. You will learn how to run successful performance marketing campaigns to promote and sell your products.
The Best Time Is Now
As an entrepreneur looking to start a business, a course on business entities will be beneficial. You will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of various entities and choose the best one for your business.
Owing to the affordability and convenience of online education, the best time to pursue education is now. The knowledge you’ll gain through your academic credential will complement the skills and expertise you develop while running your business.
Dorothy Watson