Many companies navigating the uncharted waters of the business world today are the result of the entrepreneurial spirit that has pervaded American culture sine the dot com boom of the mid nineties. For startups, the quick realization that bringing ideas to fruition requires more than good intentions can be a rude awakening. Entrepreneurs from all walks of life and in all types of industries are often sidetracked by inadequate preparation and a lack of understanding concerning the business side of doing business. Not all, however, are willing to risk their ideas without at least simultaneously acquiring the fundamental business knowledge necessary for streamlined success.

Sara Pierce is a business major attending college online, and also owns and operates a small boutique in Houston, Texas where she sells clothing she herself designs. “The biggest issue for me was not knowing how to get started or what to expect from owning a business,” offers Pierce. “For me, the associate's track gave me instruction on business issues that I would have been oblivious to and made it possible for me to quickly get my company off the ground. I chose to attend online so that I could have the freedom to choose how I would organize my schedule to allow for a personal life, business pursuits and education.”

The curriculum in most business administration associate degree programs is designed to give the student an introduction into several facets of business, from management and marketing to finance and accounting. “Some of the things I learned early on definitely helped me in a very direct way,” continued Pierce. “An introductory course in finance that covered investment capital helped me to get the money for an initial production run based on my designs, and the two accounting classes I've taken have covered two topics that I deal with on a daily basis in taxes and bookkeeping. My business is a one woman operation right now, but my hope is to expand and put the managerial practices I've learned to good use.”

Among the students she takes classes with, many of whom are spread out across the U.S., Pierce is not alone in her business venture. “I had the misconception that going to school online would lead to very little interaction between myself and the faculty and other students. Fortunately, the level of interactivity is high, and through my associations with classmates, I've learned that many are also developing or running their own businesses. I don't at all feel that I'm alone in choosing to take an associate's in business administration online because it fit my professional goals.”