Entrepreneurs and small business owners: The importance of furthering your education 

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When people think about entrepreneurship, they often picture someone diving in headfirst, learning through trial and error, and figuring things out along the way. While experience can be one of the best teachers, I’ve learned firsthand that continuing your education can make a tremendous difference in how quickly and confidently you grow as a business owner.

At 20 years old, I operate two businesses: Mind Over Matter Personal Training and Angela’s Sourdough Co. Looking back, I can honestly say that investing in my education has played a huge role in helping me build both businesses and navigate the challenges that come with entrepreneurship.

My education journey wasn’t what some might consider to be “traditional”. I first started by attending a four-year college, but after one semester, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted something faster paced and more hands-on. I already had my website built for Mind Over Matter and was eager to move quickly toward my goals. I asked the advisors of the four-year program if I could graduate early, but the traditional structure didn’t support that path.

When I learned about Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, which offers a two-year professional certificate in business and entrepreneurship, something clicked. I saw an opportunity to build practical skills while applying them in real-world situations. Instead of sitting in lecture halls wondering how the information might someday apply, I could immediately put what I learned into action and the decision to switch changed the course of my career and my life.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that passion alone is not enough to sustain a business. You can be talented in your craft, but if you don’t understand how to run a business, growth becomes much harder.

For me, nearly every course I took provided something valuable. I learned about CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, communication, accounting, creative development, and relationship-building. One thing that stood out about the experience was how practical it was. We were actually applying concepts in real time as opposed to just memorizing them.

Accounting ended up being one of the most valuable subjects for me. I know that may not sound exciting to everyone, but understanding your numbers is critical as a business owner. I’ve heard many stories about businesses failing because owners didn’t fully understand their financials. Learning how to read financial statements, manage money, and think strategically about finances gave me confidence. As an entrepreneur, if you don’t know your numbers, it’s incredibly difficult to make informed decisions.

I was building my businesses while I was building my education,

Mind Over Matter Personal Training came from a deeply personal place. Growing up, I struggled with health issues and didn’t fully understand the impact nutrition and movement could have on overall wellness. Over time and with education, I healed my relationship with fitness and food. I shifted my focus toward strength, balance, and holistic wellness. Because of the changes I made in my lifestyle, I stopped struggling with many of the health issues I experienced growing up, including asthma and allergies that once affected me regularly. That personal transformation inspired me to help others, which is how Mind Over Matter was created.

Angela’s Sourdough Co. came from another passion of mine: baking. I started the business after developing a love for sourdough and appreciating both its health benefits and the creativity involved in making it. Everything is homemade, intentional, and created with quality ingredients. I wanted to provide people with products that felt thoughtful and nourishing.

Continuing my business education helped me avoid unnecessary struggles. Whether working on my own business ideas or practicing through projects at Golisano Institute, I received constant feedback that shaped how I think and operate.

I also believe soft skills are some of the most important things entrepreneurs can invest in. Technical skills can often be learned online through tutorials, but communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, problem-solving, and time management are much harder to develop on your own.

Education also helped me become more confident in making decisions. Through internships, networking opportunities, and regular interactions with business leaders, I gained real-world exposure that made business situations feel less intimidating.

Technology is another area where continuous learning matters. Continuing my education has helped me use AI tools within my business and have basic coding knowledge that helped while building my website. You don’t have to become an expert in AI, but understanding technology basics makes running a business much easier.

For entrepreneurs who feel too busy to continue learning, my advice is to make time for what matters. If growth matters to you, you will find time for it. Education doesn’t always mean sitting in a classroom. It can mean meeting with a mentor, listening to podcasts, reading before bed, asking clients for feedback, or learning through everyday experiences in your business.

For me, the return on investment has been priceless. Trusting my gut and choosing a path that aligned with my goals was not an easy decision, but it changed my life. As entrepreneurs, we owe it to ourselves to keep learning. Because no matter how much experience we gain, there is always more to understand, improve, and grow into.

Angela Giorgione is the founder of Mind Over Matter Personal Training and Angela’s Sourdough Co.