What should I study in school to benefit my crafty business?

[shescrafty627]

Hello everyone! I'm at the very beginning of starting my own crafty business. I also would like to go to school and get some kind of degree. I'm into studying something that is geared towards making my business my main squeeze. I'm just not sure which area to study: Business Management? Entrepreneur? Something else? Should I just get as Small Business certificate?

Or should I just take something fun like radio and just read marketing books on the side?

What should I do and/or what have you done if you have been in my situation?

Any advice is appreciated!

[knowthetrees]

I would be certain to know how to use photoshop, CSS, HTML and possibly PHP. Web design is a high ticket item for something that you will save time and headache on if you DIY, and I wish I'd had the opportunity for at least *some* classwork in design, or new media, or internet marketing, or some aspect.

My photoshop and CSS and HTML knowledge is something I use every day and it's an edge I would not want to be without. I'm self taught, and really that's the sweaty hard way to do it. Like I said, I wish I'd taken classes.

[jessersmisadventures]

Accounting!  Unless you're already really "numbers savvy."  Also, I believe marketing courses would be very helpful to ANY businesswoman (or man).

[CraftyChef]

Everyone has different needs, but the most popular question of all time has got to be "how do I get more sales?" This usually involves marketing. Not all marketing is created equal, however. Don't get stuck in a class where direct mail campaigns are a main focus. In a typical modern craft business - and I know nothing about you or your craft(s) - you'll be dealing with marketing face to face, networking, and looking for online targets. Shop around for a good class.

Classes that help you with product research and development, including pricing products for your particular market and determining who to sell them to; organizing your production and managing your time can also be very important factors in success.

If you have a young entrepreneurs group in your area, it might be worth a look.

[structuredchaos]

I would say business management with a focus in Entrepreneurship.  That should get you in a few marketing classes as well as give you all the other technical things you need to know   And, you can take any of those other arty type classes for one of your free electives!

[BlueJeanBaby]

I'm in the same boat as you! I'm doing some business (intro) classes and plan on taking some digital photography. I could really stand to improve my Photoshop/GIMP skills!