Starting a bar/club?

[gcadays99]

Hi everyone! I'm new to these forums so let me tell you a little about me. I am 22 going to be 23 here soon; I go to college at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. I went there focused on business, leaning towards some sort of law. But through part-time jobs I've really enjoyed working at resteraunts and Bars in fact they have been the only jobs I enjoyed. I don't intend on really starting a bar for another couple years. However I talked to my advisor the other day and when I told him what I wanted to do he said if I was serious on this it might be better just to get a job now get the school I've taken so far paid off and any debts and save up my personal finances now instead of finishing school. I was just wondering opinions on this is it better to have a degree and put off opening a bar/club. Or would a degree really not have a purpose in bar ownership. I know it really won't affect the bar ownership since I own it but I was wondering do investors put there trust more into guys with degrees or does it really matter. Cause as of now I have great ideas for it this town has great demographics for it. The main things I have left are getting financing and working on the fun legal stuff :) Any advice would help here soon either respond on this thread or e-mail me at mattshanahan@hotmail.com. Thank you to all who read this.

[David]

Stay in school and get your degree. You can work in the restaurant or a club or both and learn all that you can. Pay attention to everything that goes on around you and take notes. Everybody thinks that this business is easier than taking drivers ed. Believe me, it's one of the toughest business's that you will ever work at, with or without a degree.

You are correct in your thinking about how you will be perceived in the financial world if you do or do not have a degree. If you decide to keep law as your major, try restaurant management or something that pertains to our business as a minor. These two disciplines are a good combination for our business.

You are still young and have a lot to learn about life before you jump into this thing with both feet. I think that I had been working in this industry full time for about five years before I really felt comfortable making the decisions that could make or break a club. Heck, I'm still learning something new everyday and I've been slinging bottles and cleaning toilets for ~35 years.

[Andrew]

David has a great argument for persuing your degree. Today's world is a tough place for those starting out and a degree can help you stand out (I have no degree, by the way) and give you something to fall back on.

The best club in my town is owned and managed as a partnership.
One of the partners was a barrister or similar. From what I understand, his input and understanding of the legal system was crucial in both establishing the club and again with resolving the ongoing conflicts that seem to be unavoidable in this business.

David says that it IS a tough business; I often used to confuse the casual,fun mood of a club with the reality of what makes it appear so.

[mrjonman]

I agree with the other folks that staying in school is the thing to do.

There are a number of reasons but the most important (IMHO) is that once you have your degree, doors open for you that didn't before. Getting your degree at your age opens up a whole "slice" of the future for you that you won't have access to without the degree.

I'm a 51 year old businessman who has learned this the hard way. I'm going back to school as we speak to get that degree that I "put off for a couple of years" when I was your age. Learn from my mistake, don't make it for yourself to find out later in life that you missed a great opportunity.

As far as your business professor, remember that "Those who can do; those who cannot teach!" - Author Unknown. Seriously, I cannot imagine worse advice from a business prof. Sure, you don't need the degree to open & run a bar but what happens if your plans change in a couple of years?

OK, I'm off the "Dad's SoapBox" (Yes, my son's your age!) :-)

John

[mrjonman]

BTW, Thanks for referring to me as a "Junior Member" :cool:

John

[David]

John:

No disrespect intended on the "Junior Member" status. As you post, your status will change. The "Junior Member" status is given to everyone in the beginning. It's part of the Jel-Soft program. Keep posting and it will change.

[gcadays99]

Thanks for all the advice guys I'm trying to keep with school for as long as I can afford too. But I don't have much school left so might as well finish.