5 simple ways small business owners can invest in their own education

There are lots of free and low-cost resources out there for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Look for resources that fit your learning style and schedule, and design your own DIY MBA. 

Take a look at 5 simple ways you can invest in yourself and your own education as a small business owner.

Investing in yourself

1. Take an online course

There are lots of free and low-cost online classes for entrepreneurs out there. The Small Business Administration has a learning hub that’s organized into courses on different topics, all made up of bite-sized videos you can watch on your own schedule. You can also learn marketing from HubSpot Academy, learn the ins and outs of TikTok with Follow Me, take online classes from world-famous entrepreneurs and experts at MasterClass, or dip into expert briefing videos from the Chamber of Commerce at U.S. Chamber on Demand. We have a great series of free Clover webinars, too, on everything from bookkeeping to cyber-security at Clover Academy.

2. Find a mentor

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident can connect with a free business mentor through SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. You can also connect with mentors from all over the world through MicroMentor, a nonprofit service. 

3. Listen to podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to turn downtime into learning time. Some of our favorites include 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 IdeaCast, or get inspired by personal stories with From Scratch.

4. Read something

There are literally thousands of interesting business books available to read, but a few of our favorites include The Lean Startup, a modern classic on building a business efficiently; The E-Myth Revisited, a thorough and practical guide to building a business; 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. If you’re looking for something more bite-sized, check out our Clover ebook library for short guides on everything from content marketing to key metrics to watch. 

Blogs are another simple way to boost your business knowledge–check out these blogs every business owner should follow.

5. Watch TV

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 own education as an entrepreneur?

Editorial Team

Insights, Resources, Run your business

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