Every time the classes start the children, parents and teachers look forward to new classes, notebooks, outfits, and lesson plans. But education is a dynamic process and does not have to be confined to school, it is a lifelong journey. Regardless of the season, it is vital to invest in yourself and look for resources to help you learn more about building and growing your business.
There are many free and low-cost resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Look for resources that fit your learning style and schedule, and design your DIY MBA.
Let’s take a look at five simple ways to invest in yourself and your education as a small business owner.
Do some research and take an online course
There are a lot of free and low-cost online classes for entrepreneurs out there. The Small Business Administration has a learning hub that is organized into courses on different topics, all made up of bite-sized videos you can watch during your free time.
There are also sites where you can also learn marketing. Try to check HubSpot Academy, learn the ins and outs of TikTok with Follow Me, take online classes from world-famous entrepreneurs and experts at Master Class, or dip into expert briefing videos from the Chamber of Commerce at the U.S. Chamber on Demand.
Find a mentor online
Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident can connect with a free business mentor through SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. If you are really serious with your goal, you can also connect with mentors from all over the world through Micro Mentor- a non-profit service.
Make time to listen to Podcast
Podcasts are effective way to turn downtime into learning time. Some of the most popular are the chatty-but-practical Breaking Down Your Business and the more motivational Entrepreneurs on Fire. You can also focus on marketing with Duct Tape Marketing, learn from leading experts with Harvard Business Review's Idea Cast, or get inspired by personal stories with From Scratch.
Read something helpful to you and your goal
There are thousands of exciting business books available, among of then is The Lean Startup, a modern classic on building a business efficiently. Another worth reading material is The E-Myth Revisited, a thorough and practical guide to building a business. The Lost and Founder, which punctures some myths of start-up culture with honesty and humor, and Give and Take, which looks at how generosity can be the key to business success.
Watch Television program relevant to business subjects
Sure, you could learn what not to do from old episodes of The Office—or you could tune in to a show like The Profit or Small Business Revolution, which focus on turning around struggling small businesses. Amazon and YouTube also offer these top shows and documentaries for entrepreneurs.
However you like to learn, there are resources available that can help you build and grow your business—even if, like most small business owners, you don't have much time. Why not take a few minutes today and start investing in your education as an entrepreneur?
Part of the learning process is upgrading your small business by incorporating modern technology that will help you run your business smoothly, such as the eatOS POS system. It will allow you to have more time for you to invest in education.
