For Subscribers

4 Ways to Keep Learning Beyond the Classroom You don't have to get a new degree to expand your knowledge base.

By J.D. Roth

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

"The moment you think you know everything about your business is the moment you lose your competitive edge," says Pat Flynn, a San Diego-based writer who focuses on online entrepreneurship. "Top athletes continue to train and learn in order to improve; a smart entrepreneur does the same."

I know you know that intuitively, but it can be hard to convince yourself that adding to your education is worth the time and money. Often the hang-up is seeing how those new skills can pay off in an existing business--and that's where I believe many small-business owners miss the mark. Learning a new skill can open up completely new avenues of growth and income for you and your business.

Take Lisa Lessley Briscoe. When her kids were old enough, the Portland, Ore., freelance technical writer returned to school at a local university to learn graphic design, taking one class per term. Today her business, Tappity Communications, attracts a wider range of clients.

"Going back to school gave me flexibility," she says. "Over the past year, I've done everything from branding to logo design to writing installation guides for dental chairs."

I can look to my father, a serial entrepreneur who didn't have a college degree, for evidence of the value of continuing education. While selling health-food products in the 1970s, he took a marketing class at a community college. After he'd implemented what he learned, his sales skyrocketed. When he started a manufacturing firm in 1985, Dad taught himself computer programming. The software he wrote gave his company a competitive advantage, allowing it to carve out a niche in a crowded marketplace.

But attending classes or picking up another degree or certificate aren't the only ways to boost your knowledge base. The methods below are small learning opportunities that can pay off big.

Mentors. When Briscoe met a man who owned a small letterpress studio, she asked to become an apprentice. He agreed. She spent one day a week learning the trade, and her added skills helps her attract new clients.

Tutors. I hired a Spanish tutor I found on Craigslist. After working with her for 18 months, I was proficient enough in the language to do volunteer personal-finance counseling at a nonprofit for migrant workers.

Conferences. Each year I speak at a handful of conferences where attendees glean targeted information while expanding their network of contacts. I'm able to connect with experts who might otherwise be unapproachable, as well as speak with and learn from other entrepreneurs who wrestle with similar problems.

Books. To get myself out of debt, I read dozens of books about saving and investing. On a whim, I created a website to share what I was learning. Within five years, I'd built a booming business and published my own book, all because I used the resources of the public library to learn something new.

J.D. Roth is the founder and editor of the personal finance blog getrichslowly.org and the author of Your Money: The Missing Manual.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here's What Companies and Services Are Open and Closed on Juneteenth 2025

Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021.

Business News

Meta Is Trying to Poach OpenAI Employees With 'Giant' $100 Million Offers, Sam Altman Says

Open AI CEO Sam Altman claims Meta has attempted to recruit "a lot" of his employees.

Thought Leaders

I Spent 20 Years Watching Brands Rise or Fade—This Is What Separates Them

Many entrepreneurs turn to PR only when they want immediate results, but strategic visibility is a long game.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

AI Is Going to 'Replace Everybody' in Several Fields, According to the 'Godfather of AI.' Here's Who He Says Should Be 'Terrified.'

Geoffrey Hinton, called the "Godfather of AI" due to his pioneering work on AI, says some fields face a heavier risk of replacement due to automation.

Living

You Built a Successful Business — But Your Inner Self Got Neglected in the Process. Here's What You Can Do About It Now.

Are you disconnected from the person you were before you started your business? Here's how to regain control over your inner design.