Small Business & Entrepreneurship

If you love contributing to a team and are skilled in customer service, communication, and relationship-building, the small business industry offers rewarding hands-on careers here on Martha’s Vineyard.

Working in a small business means there’s no hiding in the background. You have hands-on exposure to the business that builds confidence and skills faster than most large organizations allow. You often wear multiple hats: your job tasks grow and could include diverse roles like operations, analytics, and marketing.

Local small businesses thrive on the Island due to support of locals and tourists. With a strong work ethic, you can launch your career in small business. Completing a training from a local community college can help you learn business skills and grow your business.

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in this Industry

  • Overview:

    Owning a business can be fulfilling and exciting. It allows you to practice your entrepreneurship skills as you serve your community.

    Typical Tasks

    • Create a business plan and strategy

    • Track finances and accounting

    • Manage employees, hiring, and onboarding

    • Marketing and brand management

    • Ensure your business complies with laws and standards

    🎓 Training & Credentials

    • No formal training required, but college coursework in business, accounting, and entrepreneurship may be helpful

    💵 Earning Potential (Massachusetts)

    • Average: $139,000 per year

    🌟 Skills & Traits

    • Attention to detail

    • Strong people and communication skills

    • Budgeting and financial skills

    • Marketing

  • Overview:

    Managers or supervisors oversee team members and help them perform effectively. Their duties include hiring and training employees, creating and implementing business strategies, and delegating tasks to staff members.

    Typical Tasks

    • Managing daily operations and scheduling

    • Hiring, training, and supervising staff members

    • Ensuring excellent customer service and client satisfaction

    • Managing finances, budgeting, and marketing

    • Overseeing inventory, product sales, and vendor relationships

    🎓 Training & Credentials (Massachusetts)

    • No formal training required

    • Business management, entrepreneurship, or marketing courses (through a community college or small business center) are helpful.

    💵 Earning Potential (Massachusetts)

    • Entry Level Managers: $40,000–$60,000 per year

    • Experienced Managers: $80,000–$100,000+ depending on business size and services offered

    🌟 Skills & Traits

    • Leadership and organizational skills

    • Strong communication and people management

    • Business and marketing knowledge

Salary Information: Salary ranges are approximate and intended for career planning. Figures are based primarily on Massachusetts wage data and regional/local job postings where available. Actual pay varies by employer, experience, education, role, and location. Martha’s Vineyard wages may differ from statewide averages.

Training Programs

  • Training Summary:

    • General Business is a popular choice for students who know they want to work in business but are unsure about an area of focus or specialization. This program provides skills and knowledge across multiple business disciplines including accounting, management, computer applications, marketing, communications, and business law. Electives enable you to explore specific areas of interest and customize the degree to meet your needs.

    Local Training Option:

    • General Business Associate Degree
      🔗 MassBay

  • Training Summary:

    • The certificate is an ideal introduction to various areas of management studies. The certificate offers a concentrated curriculum in management, a sound foundation in accounting and business law, and course work in fundamentals of management, human resources, computer applications, marketing, and microeconomics.

    Local Training Option:

    • Management Certificate
      🔗 MassBay

  • Training Summary:

    • Certificate is designed to prepare students who are interested in starting their own business or for small business owners who want to sustain and grow their businesses. Students will take courses business planning, development and sustainability, management, marketing, basic accounting, and computer skills.

    Local Training Program:

  • Training Summary:

    • Upon successful completion of the A.S. Business Administration Program, students are able to:

      • Transfer to a four-year institution with a concentration in Business.

      • Apply management theories in a dynamic and multicultural world.

      • Make decisions through the use of technology.

      • Recognize and analyze ethical issues as they relate to business.

      • Apply quantitative problem solving techniques to evaluate management decisions.

      • Demonstrate the ability to work in a team.

      • Read, write, discuss and think critically about business topics.

    Local Training Option:

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Entrepreneurship is a pathway that can evolve alongside almost any industry or skill set. A small business idea can grow from a side project into a full-time operation, and with experience in finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, an entrepreneur can build a team, expand services, develop new revenue streams, or operate multiple ventures. Additional education and mentorship can help turn an early idea into a sustainable and growing business.

Future Outlook and Growth Potential

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