In this economy, small business is big business. And education makes it possible.

by Charles Carlsen

Entrepreneurs don't fail because they don't know how to create original designs, install an air conditioner or cook a restaurant meal. They fail because they don't know how to keep books, work with employees or market their product or service.

Thirty years ago, approximately 200,000 new businesses were launched each year. In 2002, an estimated 3.5 million new enterprises opened their doors. In the early 1990s, less than 10 percent of high school seniors expressed an interest in working for themselves. In 1997, 70 percent of high school seniors wanted to own their own business. That same year, 27 percent of the owners of new businesses were 45 years of age or older. In 2002, 88 percent of the nation's wealthiest individuals were first generation business owners. In a time when big business is troubled by scandal and economic downturns, more people want to work for themselves. And the more they know, the better they'll do.

The more educated small business owners are, the more likely their businesses will succeed. Entrepreneurs don't fail because they don't know how to create original designs, install an air conditioner or cook a restaurant meal. They fail because they don't know how to keep books, work with employees or market their product or service. At Johnson County Community College, our goal is to weave entrepreneurship education throughout the curriculum, be it with credit or noncredit classes. With such education, small business owners improve their chances of success.

JCCC's commitment to entrepreneur-ship education began in 1983 when the college became the site for a regional center within the network of Kansas Small Business Development Centers. JCCC's Small Business Development Center works with small businesses to help them compete and grow in today's competitive economy. As part of JCCC's Center for Business and Technology, the SBDC combines the resources of a professional staff, JCCC faculty and independent consultants to help small businesses in Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.

In 1990 the college conducted an analysis that identified a need within the community for a credit degree program in business entrepreneurship. In response, the college initially developed eight business entrepreneurship courses, which became the core of an associate of applied science degree program in that subject, officially approved and operational in 1992. Since then, a vocational certificate program and a 5-hour business plan certificate program have been added, with five new courses in the works.

In 2003, the college received a $50,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to enhance entrepreneurship education. The project involved a partnership between the college's credit and noncredit branches to strengthen and streamline entrepreneurship education for JCCC students and community members alike. Their joint program emphasizes "3 Steps for Entrepreneurial Success" that anyone can put into practice.

As step one, you need to master a skill, such as interior design or automotive technology. The best practitioners are rarely self-taught. They've gone to school, studied with professionals and accepted internships out in the field that prepares them to work. The ability to create Web sites, balance books or design original fashions is the basis of a business, but it's not all that's needed. For step two, we encourage budding business owners to also take some entrepreneurship courses to help them develop the business skills needed to start--and grow--their own business. Courses in writing business plans, supervising employees, salesmanship, business math and business ethics supplement specialized education, giving the hopeful entrepreneur a stronger basis for running a business.

Once they go into business for themselves, then entrepreneurs can expand their business skills through the services offered through organizations like the Small Business Development Center. That's step three. Short-term, one-on-one business workshops, management counseling, educational programs and practical information enable small businesses to continue to compete in today's market.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a major factor in a small company's survival is the education level of the owner. These three education steps help entrepreneurs be survivors.

 

Charles Carlsen is the President of Johnson County Community College. He can be reached by e-mail at ccarlsen@jccc.net or by phone at 913.469.8500.