College vs. Entrepreneurship: Should Entrepreneurs Skip School to Succeed?

Should entrepreneurs go to college or skip it to chase their dreams? In this powerful episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun, JD and Dominick Domasky debate one of the hottest questions in the entrepreneurial world: Is college worth it for entrepreneurs?

Drawing inspiration from Julie’s viral blog post “Should I Go to College? Debt, Entrepreneurship & The Voices Who Challenged the Norm”, this episode breaks down the real ROI of higher education in today’s economy. With over $1.7 trillion in U.S. student loan debt crushing graduates, is the traditional path outdated for creative thinkers, business builders, and start-up founders?

Julie and Dominick weigh both sides of the argument — from Gary Vaynerchuk’s belief that college is a waste of money, to the undeniable truth that some careers (law, medicine, engineering) still require a degree. This honest conversation challenges listeners to rethink success, risk, and the education system.

🔥 Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Why student loan debt may be the biggest barrier to entrepreneurship.
• Gary Vaynerchuk’s controversial stance on college and credentials.
• The rise of alternative education: bootcamps, apprenticeships, and self-learning.
• When college is essential vs. when it’s just a costly tradition.
• How entrepreneurs can build a career through branding, content creation, and freelancing.
• The role of risk tolerance, identity, and self-awareness in shaping your path.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Debt limits freedom: Student loans can crush entrepreneurial risk-taking.
• Credentials don’t equal success: Your degree won’t guarantee your dream job.
• Not a one-size-fits-all answer: College is vital for some careers, but optional for entrepreneurs.
• Self-education is powerful: In 2025, knowledge is everywhere — from podcasts to YouTube to mentorships.
• Entrepreneurship thrives on execution: It’s not about what you studied, but what you do.

📖 Resources Mentioned

• Julie’s blog: Should I Go to College? Debt, Entrepreneurship & The Voices Who Challenged the Norm
• Gary Vaynerchuk on why college is a bad investment
• Alternative education pathways (coding bootcamps, mentorship programs, online courses)

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