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University or own my own food business?

Guys I need advice, and open a verbal discussion about this. My family are all into food businesses. My uncle is offering to give me his cafe, so I can run it for myself, however my mum wants me to pursue university and think education is the best way forward. The food industry has long hours and hugh responsibility however the money is much better than someone who has a job. Idk who’s advice to take my mum or uncle? I don’t want to do anything that I will regret later
Reply 1
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Ibs223
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My head is telling me to take the business due to monitory reasons, however a business can fail at any time, I wouldn’t want to regret thinking if only I went to uni I could be doing this this or that, if that makes sense
Reply 2
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Ibs223
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I’m not exactly sure. What made you want to go to university over running your family restaurant ?
Reply 3
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da_nolo
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Original post by Ibs223
Guys I need advice, and open a verbal discussion about this. My family are all into food businesses. My uncle is offering to give me his cafe, so I can run it for myself, however my mum wants me to pursue university and think education is the best way forward. The food industry has long hours and hugh responsibility however the money is much better than someone who has a job. Idk who’s advice to take my mum or uncle? I don’t want to do anything that I will regret later


although possible to run business successfully with out business education, it is always easier to move on if a business fails when you have a degree or some education. some sports players have degrees because they know they will not play forever.

also, sounds like uncle may want you as manager, not owner? either way that would benefit him in some way even if he is just being nice. unless you disrupt his place. ha ha.

you can ask them more questions for better understanding what each decision looks like.
Original post by Ibs223
Guys I need advice, and open a verbal discussion about this. My family are all into food businesses. My uncle is offering to give me his cafe, so I can run it for myself, however my mum wants me to pursue university and think education is the best way forward. The food industry has long hours and hugh responsibility however the money is much better than someone who has a job. Idk who’s advice to take my mum or uncle? I don’t want to do anything that I will regret later

If you're not sure maybe you could run the cafe for a year or two (like a gap year) and then apply for uni later? You don't have to go to uni right now, you can always go later
Reply 5
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Ibs223
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Original post by da_nolo
although possible to run business successfully with out business education, it is always easier to move on if a business fails when you have a degree or some education. some sports players have degrees because they know they will not play forever.

also, sounds like uncle may want you as manager, not owner? either way that would benefit him in some way even if he is just being nice. unless you disrupt his place. ha ha.

you can ask them more questions for better understanding what each decision looks like.

He’s made a lot of money from the place and built a property portfolio so doesn’t want the responsibility of running a business anymore when his properties are more than enough for him. Also with the leaning back to your degree thing. If someone has had a degree for let’s say 5 years but has not used it in anyway at all, how would any employee take them serious or value them enough to get a job that is competitive to the current living standards
Reply 6
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Ibs223
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Original post by mardlingja
If you're not sure maybe you could run the cafe for a year or two (like a gap year) and then apply for uni later? You don't have to go to uni right now, you can always go later

The earnings are around 2-4K profit per week. I know I will get carried away with the money and won’t have the motivation to go to university if I do this
what are u gonna study at uni? is it business?
Reply 8
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Ibs223
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Original post by therealtara
what are u gonna study at uni? is it business?

I’m not exactly sure. But I don’t think a business degree is worth it so probably something to do with science or engineering if I do
i think, if u don't know what u wanna study, and u gotta go to uni soon, then go w ur uncle's busiiness. but if u know what u want from uni, and what ur gonna do for yourself, then, go to uni.

cld u have ur uncle's business as somehting to lean on in case uni doesn't work out?
Always trust your gut instinct. :smile:
Are you interested in working in the food industry?
Do you want to study a course connected to food, business, entrepreneurship or something else?
If so, you can also consider whether there are any suitable part time options for uni and the business.

I have quite a few friends who either are studying plus working in their family food business, are students with a sideline business operating in the industry or started a food & drinks business after uni.
Good luck!
Reply 11
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Ibs223
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Original post by londonmyst
Always trust your gut instinct. :smile:
Are you interested in working in the food industry?
Do you want to study a course connected to food, business, entrepreneurship or something else?
If so, you can also consider whether there are any suitable part time options for uni and the business.

I have quite a few friends who either are studying plus working in their family food business, are students with a sideline business operating in the industry or started a food & drinks business after uni.
Good luck!

Why go to university if your going to open a food or drinks business? I do not believe university will actually teach you anything advantageous for running a food business. It’s the experience that will teach you what you need or being surrounded by the right people that can guide you
Original post by Ibs223
Why go to university if your going to open a food or drinks business?
I do not believe university will actually teach you anything advantageous for running a food business.
It’s the experience that will teach you what you need or being surrounded by the right people that can guide you

It depends on personal ambitions, skillset and the type of food business.
My father worked in the food industry from the time that he was a teenager, decades before he went to uni or got involved with reviewing & turning around consultancy work.

Of course there is no substitute for practical experience.
Nor business networking and learning from other people's mistakes & successes within the food industry.
That is why so many uni's & specialist catering colleges include internships or valuable training opportunities that focus upon either practical management/culinary skills/the food science niche.

Have you looked at the Le Cordon Bleu programmes?
You might also want to consider some of the shorter courses offered by The School of Artisan Food, Chef Academy London, NCASS and Leiths.
Original post by Ibs223
He’s made a lot of money from the place and built a property portfolio so doesn’t want the responsibility of running a business anymore when his properties are more than enough for him. Also with the leaning back to your degree thing. If someone has had a degree for let’s say 5 years but has not used it in anyway at all, how would any employee take them serious or value them enough to get a job that is competitive to the current living standards
a degree for 5 years and not used it?

a. you would be using a business degree or something that would help you operate & manage.

b. usually plans to fall back on consist of things that are being used. which could see use through volunteer work or other means.

however, depending on a persons situation, there are exceptions. like sports, military, changing industries.

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