SkillPointe x Entrepreneurship Part 2: The Fastest Path from Skill to Small Business

Why Skilled Trades Create Entrepreneurs Faster

In traditional entrepreneurship, the barriers are high: capital, networks, degrees, and time. But in the skilled trades, the path is refreshingly straightforward.

A student can:

1. Train for a skill

2. Start earning quickly

3. Build a customer base

4. Expand into a business

This progression is not hypothetical - it's happening every day.

Lower Barriers, Higher Opportunity Skilled trades offer:

- Lower startup costs than most industries

- Immediate revenue potential after certification

- Built-in customer demand in every community

- Flexible work models (contracting, part-time, full-time, mobile services)

This combination makes the trades one of the most accessible and reliable routes to entrepreneurship in the United States.

A Real-World Example:

Consider a young HVAC technician who starts as an apprentice, becomes certified, and within a few years begins taking on independent jobs. Soon, they hire a helper. Then a second truck. Then a small team. Before long, they've built a thriving business that supports their family and community.

This story isn't rare - it's the norm.
Students Deserve to Know This Path Exists

When students understand how quickly a skill can turn into a business, their confidence grows. They begin to see entrepreneurship not as a distant dream, but as a practical, achievable future.

If you have any questions and/or would like more information about the SkillPointe Platform, please contact Dr. Kevin Logan, Director of SkillPointe, at logan@nacce.com

Dr. Kevin Logan, Director of SkillPointe
Dr. Darcie L. Tumey, Director of Events and Programs