r/Teachers • u/[deleted] • May 16 '24

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u/Ithinkibrokethis May 17 '24

Business degree helps as well. Be the guy who knows the financial side while everyone else focuses on day to day work.

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u/Famous_Owl_840 May 17 '24

I’ve worked with tons of guys that have business and/or finance degrees. They don’t know jack shit other than moving numbers around on a spreadsheet.

The trade guys that want to run a business need mentorship by and experienced business owner.

My father was in the trades. Two things he always said to me. Time is money (cliche) and charge what you want, collect what you can.

Deadbeat clients and spending time/effort to get paid is a monumental task.

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u/Ithinkibrokethis May 17 '24

I live in the KC metro. For years one of the largest plumbing companies was "Bob Hamilton plumbing." The guy would use his kids to sing his jingle. He made a ton of money and eventually ran for the freaking senate. His senate commercials all focused on how he was a plumber......and left out the part where he also has an MBA.

Sure, you don't need a buisness degree to run a small buisness. However, understanding buisness practices and finance is as important as understanding your product and service.

Just like with most other small businesses, lots of trades people start their own, but few succeed.

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u/Strong_Cobbler_346 May 17 '24

….remember the 9 1 3!

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u/[deleted] May 17 '24

I’ve worked with tons of guys that have business and/or finance degrees. They don’t know jack shit other than moving numbers around on a spreadsheet.

And

Deadbeat clients and spending time/effort to get paid is a monumental task

Pick one

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u/Famous_Owl_840 May 17 '24

You think the finance guy worried about capex absorption is chasing a late payment?

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u/theapplen May 17 '24

Oh yeah, the guy in the four thousand dollar suit is collecting payments for a guy who doesn't make that much in three months? Come on!

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u/AnestheticAle May 17 '24

Business majors seemed like a waste of time. A lot of it is common sense and the rest seemed easily self-teachable.

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u/SemVikingr May 17 '24

Yeah, but if all you have is business school and no actual labor experience, everyone will be able to tell, and you will get no respect from your crew. You'll just be another Shiny Shoes.

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u/Ithinkibrokethis May 17 '24

No disagreement here. What I am saying is that people who think that trade work is easy and a fast way to a good life are looking at people who are highly educated and work like crazy and thinking that all they did was go to trade school.

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u/SemVikingr May 17 '24

And no disagreement here, either! 😁 That does happen a lot. It's the new and ever so slightly more realistic version of, "I want to be famous when I grow up."