4 answers
Jaedan
Student
Rainier, Oregon
2
Questions
Asked
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What is it like going from college to starting a business ?
Specifically, is it difficult to find work as a business manager or start your own business from the ground up after getting a degree in business management?
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4 answers
Robert Epstein
General Manager
98
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Jaedan,
Good for you in wanting a management career from the start. From my experience, I found starting my own business right out of college was fun but very difficult. The hours were long. It took more money than I anticipated. And four years later, I sold it off but was still in debt. So I then found an entry-level employee position in a large corporation. Thanks to my hard work and rudimentary management skills, I was promoted into a management position two years later. Here’s what I learned: I made a lot of newbie mistakes with my own startup. If I had started with the big company instead, I would have learned many of the basics of entrepreneurship by watching how a big efficient operation ran. Around 45% of new businesses fail within five years and 65% within the first ten years. Yes, there are ones that make it big. It’s important that you be realistic in your expectations and resources. If you have a strong background as a leader in college or with prior job activities, a corporation may hire you a manager, but it’s more likely they’ll have you start as an entry-level employee and see how you do. Try to set up casual interviews with local small business owners and also corporate managers as well. Whatever you chose, best of luck!
Good for you in wanting a management career from the start. From my experience, I found starting my own business right out of college was fun but very difficult. The hours were long. It took more money than I anticipated. And four years later, I sold it off but was still in debt. So I then found an entry-level employee position in a large corporation. Thanks to my hard work and rudimentary management skills, I was promoted into a management position two years later. Here’s what I learned: I made a lot of newbie mistakes with my own startup. If I had started with the big company instead, I would have learned many of the basics of entrepreneurship by watching how a big efficient operation ran. Around 45% of new businesses fail within five years and 65% within the first ten years. Yes, there are ones that make it big. It’s important that you be realistic in your expectations and resources. If you have a strong background as a leader in college or with prior job activities, a corporation may hire you a manager, but it’s more likely they’ll have you start as an entry-level employee and see how you do. Try to set up casual interviews with local small business owners and also corporate managers as well. Whatever you chose, best of luck!
Amrita Gill
Management Consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Amrita’s Answer
Transitioning from college—where I majored in Finance—into starting my own business was definitely challenging, but I led with curiosity. I didn’t have a perfect plan or all the answers. Instead, I started by asking: What problems are out there that I can help solve? That question became my compass. I dove into learning practical skills on my own—things like website design, SEO, and digital marketing—mostly through YouTube and online tutorials. Once I felt confident enough, I started placing ads online to see if anyone was actually interested in the services I was offering. That scrappy, experiment-driven approach helped me test the market and validate ideas without needing a big budget or a formal setup.
One thing I quickly learned is that being adaptable is everything. The business model I originally imagined shifted multiple times. You have to be able to pivot in real time based on feedback, demand, and what’s actually working—not just what you thought would work. Through persistence and focus, I built a website design and marketing company geared toward small businesses. It was incredibly rewarding—I got to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and learned a ton about what it takes to run and grow a business. At the same time, scaling that company was tough. I hit a ceiling and realized that to move forward, I needed to grow my own skill set and perspective.
That’s when I decided to go back to school and earn my MBA. Now, as a management consultant, I’m able to take everything I learned from being a scrappy entrepreneur and apply it to larger organizations and more complex challenges. It’s been a full-circle journey—and every step, especially the hard ones, laid the foundation for the work I’m doing today.
One thing I quickly learned is that being adaptable is everything. The business model I originally imagined shifted multiple times. You have to be able to pivot in real time based on feedback, demand, and what’s actually working—not just what you thought would work. Through persistence and focus, I built a website design and marketing company geared toward small businesses. It was incredibly rewarding—I got to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and learned a ton about what it takes to run and grow a business. At the same time, scaling that company was tough. I hit a ceiling and realized that to move forward, I needed to grow my own skill set and perspective.
That’s when I decided to go back to school and earn my MBA. Now, as a management consultant, I’m able to take everything I learned from being a scrappy entrepreneur and apply it to larger organizations and more complex challenges. It’s been a full-circle journey—and every step, especially the hard ones, laid the foundation for the work I’m doing today.
Sonny Lettig
UX/UI Designer | Web Designer | DJ Instructor
4
Answers
Goodyear, Arizona
Updated
Sonny’s Answer
Great question—and I'll give it to you straight. Going from college into starting a business is exciting, humbling, and more challenging than most people admit. But it's also one of the most rewarding paths if you're built for it.
After college, I didn't walk into some shiny CEO role. I started small—freelancing, testing ideas, building relationships, and figuring things out on the fly. I've now launched multiple income streams—from UX/UI design to DJing to fitness—and what I've learned is this:
A degree in business management is like a toolbox. But the tools don't do the work—you do.
It won't automatically land you a high-level manager role or guarantee success with your own business. But it will give you a foundation—understanding people, strategy, operations, and how things run behind the scenes. That knowledge is powerful if you use it in the real world.
Here's the truth:
Finding work as a business manager right after college can be tough—most companies want experience. But you can build that by working your way up, freelancing, or creating your own proof of concept.
Starting your own business is possible, but start small. Sell one service, build one product, help one person, and learn as you go.
Nobody feels 100% ready when they start. You build confidence by doing. You earn credibility by solving real problems. You grow by staying uncomfortable long enough to get good.
So, is it hard? Yeah.
Is it worth it? Absolutely—if you're willing to show up, stay curious, and put in the reps.
Your degree is just the beginning. What you build with it—that's the legacy.
Cheers,
Sonny Lettig
After college, I didn't walk into some shiny CEO role. I started small—freelancing, testing ideas, building relationships, and figuring things out on the fly. I've now launched multiple income streams—from UX/UI design to DJing to fitness—and what I've learned is this:
A degree in business management is like a toolbox. But the tools don't do the work—you do.
It won't automatically land you a high-level manager role or guarantee success with your own business. But it will give you a foundation—understanding people, strategy, operations, and how things run behind the scenes. That knowledge is powerful if you use it in the real world.
Here's the truth:
Finding work as a business manager right after college can be tough—most companies want experience. But you can build that by working your way up, freelancing, or creating your own proof of concept.
Starting your own business is possible, but start small. Sell one service, build one product, help one person, and learn as you go.
Nobody feels 100% ready when they start. You build confidence by doing. You earn credibility by solving real problems. You grow by staying uncomfortable long enough to get good.
So, is it hard? Yeah.
Is it worth it? Absolutely—if you're willing to show up, stay curious, and put in the reps.
Your degree is just the beginning. What you build with it—that's the legacy.
Cheers,
Sonny Lettig
Jo Ann H. Hill
Information Technology Professional
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jo Ann H.’s Answer
Having the experience of working for a business would be a good start and helpful to you in determining your next step.
To get started on your journey of entrepreneurship, here are a few key questions to ask yourself:
●What motivates your interest in entrepreneurship? Are you genuinely excited about this path, or is there pressure from others that might influence your decision?
●Do you have supportive people around you?
●Do you have a financial safety net?
●Can you manage a drastic change in your lifestyle?
●Are you an excellent salesperson?
●Do you enjoy working independently?
●Can you be the decision maker?
●Do you have support from another successful entrepreneur?
●Do you thrive in the unknown?
Best wishes on your journey!
To get started on your journey of entrepreneurship, here are a few key questions to ask yourself:
●What motivates your interest in entrepreneurship? Are you genuinely excited about this path, or is there pressure from others that might influence your decision?
●Do you have supportive people around you?
●Do you have a financial safety net?
●Can you manage a drastic change in your lifestyle?
●Are you an excellent salesperson?
●Do you enjoy working independently?
●Can you be the decision maker?
●Do you have support from another successful entrepreneur?
●Do you thrive in the unknown?
Best wishes on your journey!