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What type of education should I do and how much of it?

I want to run my own Excavation, Construction, and Landscaping Company and I have the physical experience for the job and tasks but what type of business education/schooling should I pursue before I continue my career and how much should I do?

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Ariesha E.’s Answer

To ensure the success of your own business, it's essential to follow a few key steps. It's fantastic that you already have some experience in this area. To build upon this, consider pursuing an educational plan focusing on business or management, or even both. This could mean obtaining a degree in Business, Management, or Business Management. Most crucially, make the most of all the tools and resources available to you.

Access Your Potential is an ecosystem of learning, support and connections for Black and Latino/Hispanic college students, across all fields of study, as they explore their future careers. You will have access to mentorship with PwC professionals, paid consulting externships and free curriculums to help you grow and discover what you want for your career. For more information:
http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
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Leonardo’s Answer

That's a great starting point! Your hands-on experience in excavation, construction, and landscaping is valuable. To turn it into a thriving business, some business knowledge will definitely give you a leg up. Here are two options to consider, depending on how much time you can dedicate:

Certificate Programs: Many community colleges and technical schools offer certificate programs in construction management or business administration. These can be completed in 1-2 years and provide a solid foundation in areas like project planning, estimating, financing, and business regulations.

Bachelor's Degree: If you have the time and want a more comprehensive education, a bachelor's degree in construction science or construction management is a great option. These 4-year programs delve deeper into areas like engineering principles, building codes, and safety protocols. They can also equip you with leadership and communication skills that are crucial for running a successful company.

No matter which path you choose, the key is to gain foundational knowledge in business essentials. So, focus on courses that cover things like accounting, marketing, human resources, and legal aspects of running a business. Remember, the knowledge you gain will empower YOU to manage projects efficiently, hire and train employees effectively, and navigate the business world with confidence.
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Bruce’s Answer

There are a few different routes you could explore in response to your query. If you're keen on establishing a versatile company that provides a variety of services, it might be a good idea to consider taking some business courses. This could begin with a few classes at your local community college, aiming for a bachelor's degree in Business Management, or even going for a higher degree like an MBA (Masters in Business Administration). This would equip you with a comprehensive view to run your business and introduce you to various areas such as accounting, marketing and case studies. These would be useful in applying your knowledge to create opportunities. Plus, it gives you flexibility in case you decide to switch gears from running your own business, as you'd have a valuable degree that could be used in other jobs not mentioned in your question.

Alternatively, you could opt for more specialized degrees like Construction Management or Turf Management. The benefit of choosing one of these degrees is that you'd be transitioning from a broad view to a more concentrated field, which could open doors to make your business stand out in the future. For instance, a degree in Turf management would not only credentialize you in landscaping but also enable you to tap into niche markets like golf courses or professional sports arenas, where there's a real need for scientific knowledge to effectively manage grass growth.

Whether you’re starting college or finishing up your studies, Access Your Potential Career Readiness and Digital Skills curricula are available to help you grow and discover what you want for your career. For more information: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
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Alberto’s Answer

Brandyn, if you already have the experience to do the work and want to start your own business, the short answer is: start your business. Set an immediate goal to register it, get the proper insurance and just start. In construction, you'll never stop learning and you can get countless degrees, specializations, certifications, etc. but most of it will supplement what you're already doing. It's easy to get stuck overthinking the "perfect way" to start or the "best approach" and the true best approach is to start and learn in the way with true hands on experience beyond any theoretical or conceptual education.
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Dave’s Answer

I don't think you necessarily need to pursue a full 4-year degree if you already know that you'd like to own an excavation, construction, and landscaping company. I would suggest that you focus on one of the three businesses to start with, dive into working / learning that while saving/raising money to buy your own equipment. For further education I'd recommend that you focus on gaining a working understanding of accounting, finance, and marketing. Community college is great for that. You can get an entrepreneurship certificate at Berkshire Community College that has a few of these classes or even get a business associate's degree. The upside to that approach is that it's lower cost then going to a 4 year school, gives you a solid basis in business topics which allows you to go deeper as you need, and keeps open the path to a 4 year degree.
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SUE’s Answer

I started my own landscaping business when I was 45. I had some random business classes at the community college. I hired an accountant after a couple years when I realized that I didn't know/understand the financial/tax side of the business. It was also taking a lot of time that took me away from the actual work. I have a successful business focused on residential work and growing mostly by referrals. I do no marketing. That being said, I think that if your intention is to manage your business, I suggest a degree in business, either an associate or bachlors depending on the amount of knowledge you want.
My second suggestion is to start with one of the three businesses that you mentioned and add the others once you have established the first. If you do good work and charge fair prices your business will grow and you can naturally expand into the other areas.
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Charles’s Answer

All of it, and as much as possible. I'm 60 years-old, and I'm still learning. It's actually required in order for me to maintain the office of ICC Special Inspector and it's required by InterNACHI as well. I would advise pursuing a course in construction management that includes a minor in business management. This will not only accomplish your stated goals but it gives you a sweet golden parachute to rely upon in the event the landscaping venture withers on the vine due to circumstances beyond your control. I would suggest calling several large landscaping firms and interviewing the owners for a better perspective on it, as well as seeking employment in the field to gain a broader perspective of the job from that of the employees you will someday engage yourself. The more you know the further you will go. Namaste.
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