Looking towards the future: more education needed

One of my life goals is to own my own business / work for myself. I’m not really sure what kind of business, exactly. But definitely not doing design contracts. I’d LOVE to open up a rock climbing gym (with a little store and a little coffee shop in it). I’d also like to run a B&B or be a landlord … or open my own niche sports store. Whatever it is, it’s going to be something I’m passionate about.

No matter what I want to do, it will require more education. I’d like to get my business degree, but the thought of going back to school for 4 or 5 years is not appealing to me, and I really doubt I’d do it. I’ve already done 5 years of post-secondary education (and have 1/2 of a degree and a 2-year diploma to show for it). From my diploma, I have a marketing/communication/design background, so what I really want to learn are business fundamentals and applied skills. Which is why I was thinking of getting another 2-year diploma in business.

I’ve been looking at local colleges in the Lower Mainland, as well as on the island. Ideally I could do my diploma part-time so I could continue to work (and save up money for my business venture). Or even through correspondence so that I have the ability to move anywhere I want. It would take longer to complete, but I’m okay with that. I’ll need that time to save money and get my ideas all in line anyway.

Most 2-year programs I’ve been looking at cost around $8,000-10,000. Pricey. Thankfully I can utilize the Lifelong Learning Plan and withdraw from my RRSPs penalty-free if I choose to (although that $ was earmarked for a down payment for my first place). It would definitely beat taking out student loans though. And I really don’t want to go down that road again.

All of this is a few years into the future, once we’re back and we have figured out what we want to do. But it’s nice to think about now, so that I feel a little more stable in my long-term plans.