<p>I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but here it goes. Is a degree in business crucial to succeed in retail or apparel? Say you want to be an entrepreneur in that area; is a degree in business needed? Also, do you need to be good at mathematics to succeed in the business of retail? I’m asking because I believe I can succeed as an entrepreneur in business, and I’m interested in retail, but I’m not good at math (algebra and FST, especially)?</p>
<p>No one here, or most places, will tell you that you NEED a degree in business to succeed. Even in industries where the norm is to have a degree there will always be exceptions.</p>
<p>With that said.</p>
<p>IMO, you need something that is going to make ppl believe that you are capable of success in order to obtain success. Maybe that is a degree, maybe it’s moxy, or people skills, or an aptitude for organization. Yet, if you are unable to prove this you will be less likely to be able to demonstrate it. Managers, supervisors, investors, employeers, creditors do not “take your word for it”. Thus, a degree is one way to prove your likelihood for success, it is not the only way.</p>
<p>As for your adversion to math; one does not have to be a math wiz to be successful in business, though you should at least understand it. If you can’t crunch numbers (or hate doing so) then hire someone you can trust to do it for you. Even still, be wise enough with your numbers or you checks and balances system to make sure the numbers make sense. Not so much to make sure they aren’t stealing from you, but to make sure they aren’t accidentally stealing from the government, as some rather big accounting firms and business consulting companies have done recently.</p>
<p>Otherwise, good luck. Retail and apparel is a good industry, we are always going to be needing something to wear. Also, there are a lot of good, developed business models for the industry to get started with.</p>
<p>Strengthen your strengthens and manage your weaknesses.</p>
<p>I am, without a doubt, going to have a degree; I just wanted it to be maybe in Law, with a concentration in Business or Trade. I was just asking because I’m not a natural at math, AT ALL, and I know that you have to be strong at math in order to succeed in business school (at least that’s what I heard).</p>
<p>Also what if you wanted to work in retail but become an entrepreneur in that area? For example, I know it’s a huge dream but I am interested in maybe pursuing starting a chain store or, once I have enough capital, gathering holdings of retail/apparel stores/companies. What knowledge would that require?</p>