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Learning your trade
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February 14, 2000: 1:12 p.m. ET
Find out how to manage your small business from the ground up
By Jane Applegate
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Dear Jane: I recently finished my degree in business and my goal is to open a gift store. I'm currently working at an entry-level job in the computer field. Do you think I should get a job in a gift store to learn more about the gift business?
Absolutely! The best way to learn everything about managing a small company is to work in a similar business. You can certainly use your computer skills if you help with the billing, accounting and other back office tasks, but make sure you work out front too, so you can learn about every aspect of running that particular kind of business.
Apart from learning on someone else's payroll, another important advantage of working for another entrepreneur is that you may be able to purchase a share in the business, or the entire business if the person is older and wants to retire.
This is a good approach, because in many cases buying an existing small business is often so much cheaper and easier than starting one from scratch.
No matter what kind of business you plan to open, I would recommend getting a job or even an unpaid apprenticeship in a similar company.
I spent 17 years working for big and small newspapers, learning everything about the news business before I started my own news service and video production company. I tried many different jobs during my career, covering everything from nuclear power to small town politics. I even tried working as an editor, but gave it up because I preferred working out in the field, rather than in an office.
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ApplegateWay
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