Index:
What is the field of small business like?
Everyone knows that life is short. You only get one or two chances to catch that
brass ring. So, everyone is trying to figure out what it will take to get what you
want out of life, have fun, create wealth, and live the way you want to live.
Many people are asking, “How are you going to do that? I have trouble raising the
kids and balancing the checkbook.”
For many the way to create a life worth living is by owning and operating their
own business. (No more punching someone else’s time clock. No more boss looking
over your shoulder.) Sure, it’s lots of work, but it’s my work not someone else’s.
When you’re the owner of a small business you get to wear many hats. You need to
be a manager, a buyer, a bookkeeper, a salesperson, the cleanup crew, and the planner.
It takes a good idea, perseverance, skills with people and numbers, and a thoroughly
thought out business plan to do the job right.
But if you succeed, you’ll be your own boss, set your own schedule, and grow your
business the way you want it to be.
What skills do I need to be successful?
First off, it's best if you know something about the industry and market that you
want to have your business in. You need to have a good idea and be able to
conduct research to find out the critical information that you'll need to succeed.
Additionally, educational skills like communication (written and verbal), mathematics
(at least basic skills with percentages, simple algebra), and bookkeeping or accounting
knowledge. Knowledge of basic business principles, management techniques, marketing,
economics, and computers also help tip the scales toward success.
What program does Spokane Falls Community College offer?
SFCC offers a six-quarter program in Small Business Management that is designed
to prepare future entrepreneurs with the skills needed to start their own business.
Specific small business courses stress various elements of small business management
including: business finance, entrepreneurship, promotion, and sales. These specific
courses added to other general business and management courses will lead the successful
student to an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree.
What classes will I take?
You’ll gain valuable insight into the world of small business through courses that
involve retail concepts, promotion and advertising, marketing, personal selling
and professional development.
You will also study speech, business math, economics, management, business communications
and other business courses. These classes plus courses in economics, accounting,
business law and computers round out your specific small business classes.
How can I use the knowledge gained from these classes?
In the real world, most people will change their career fields at least five or
six times between leaving school and retirement. That’s a fact of the world we live
in today. Often, as these changes occur, many people will realize that they don’t
want to work for someone else, to “punch someone else’s time clock”. What these
people want to do is work for themselves. With the knowledge and skills learned
in the Small Business Management program, these future business owners will have
tipped the scales in their favor for success.
Additionally, the business skills that come through the Small Business Program will
make the successful student a more valuable employee when working for others. The
entrepreneurial spirit makes for more creative middle and senior managers.
For more information contact:
Spokane Falls Community College
Counseling Center
3410 West Fort George Wright Drive MS 3011
Spokane, Washington 99204-5288
(509) 533-3525
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