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Academics

Admission & Aid

Learn

Employment

Contact

Business

Business

Entrepreneur

Modern white structure with glass windows reflecting sky

Build Personal Freedom

Create Something Real

Own Your Future

Path to completion

Path to completion

Undergraduate

Bachelor in Business Administration

4 Semesters

$20k-$60K

Master of Business Administration

4 Semesters

$20k-$60K

Post-Graduate

No degrees available

This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.

Career Reality

Average Salary

Entrepreneur income varies widely. Self-employed earnings depend entirely on business performance.

Job Market Demand

The U.S. has over 33 million small businesses, making entrepreneurship a major economic pathway rather than a single job market.

Work Environment

Highly variable. Owners work in offices, retail spaces, home-based businesses, or service settings, often with long and flexible hours.

Common Employers

Self-employed. Business owners create and run their own organizations rather than being employed by one.

Career Advancement

Growth comes through scaling operations, hiring staff, expanding locations, or launching additional ventures.

Career Reality

Average Salary

Entrepreneur income varies widely. Self-employed earnings depend entirely on business performance.

Job Market Demand

The U.S. has over 33 million small businesses, making entrepreneurship a major economic pathway rather than a single job market.

Work Environment

Highly variable. Owners work in offices, retail spaces, home-based businesses, or service settings, often with long and flexible hours.

Common Employers

Self-employed. Business owners create and run their own organizations rather than being employed by one.

Career Advancement

Growth comes through scaling operations, hiring staff, expanding locations, or launching additional ventures.

Popular Titles


  • • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

    • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

  • • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

    • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

  • • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

    • Small Business Owner • Entrepreneur • Founder • Business Owner • Managing Partner • Startup Owner • Self-Employed Consultant • Franchise Owner • Owner Operator

Core Areas of Impact

How your skills translate into meaningful real-world change

Independence

Owning a business allows direct control over work, priorities, and long-term direction.

Independence

Owning a business allows direct control over work, priorities, and long-term direction.

Opportunity Creation

Entrepreneurs build income and impact by solving real needs in their community or market.

Opportunity Creation

Entrepreneurs build income and impact by solving real needs in their community or market.

Long-Term Ownership

Business ownership can create an asset that grows beyond salary through expansion or sale.

Long-Term Ownership

Business ownership can create an asset that grows beyond salary through expansion or sale.

Is this career right for you?

What is the role of an entrepreneur?

A small business owner starts and manages a business, overseeing operations, finances, customers, and long-term growth.

What does a typical day look like?

Daily work includes managing staff, serving customers, handling budgeting, marketing, problem-solving, and making operational decisions.

Where do entrepreneurs work?

They work in their own businesses, including retail, service, online commerce, healthcare offices, food, education, and many other industries.

What are the common job titles and career paths?

Titles include Owner, Founder, Entrepreneur, Managing Partner, or Operator. Career paths depend on the business, often moving from solo operation to multi-staff or multi-location leadership.

Who is this career a good fit for?

This career fits individuals who are self-directed, comfortable with risk, strong in decision-making, and motivated to build and lead independently.

What are the biggest rewards of this career?

Key rewards include autonomy, personal fulfillment, community impact, and the ability to build something lasting.

What does long-term growth look like?

Long-term growth may include expanding services, increasing revenue, hiring teams, franchising, or launching new ventures.

What does the educational pathway look like for a small business owner?

There is no single required degree to become a small business owner, but formal business education significantly improves readiness and long-term success. Most successful owners benefit from training in finance, marketing, operations, and management before launching or scaling a business.

A bachelor’s degree in business administration provides a strong foundation in budgeting, customer strategy, organizational leadership, and decision-making, all of which are essential for running a sustainable company.

Many entrepreneurs strengthen their ability to grow and manage larger ventures through a Master of Business Administration, especially when moving into higher-level strategy, hiring, expansion, or multi-location operations.

Sara Schenirer’s BA in Business Administration offers direct preparation for business ownership, and the MBA provides advanced tools for building and leading a scalable enterprise.

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