Everything You’ve Learned About Building a Successful Business is Wrong, Pt. 1

Could it be that everything you’ve learned about building a successful business is wrong?

The conventional wisdom around business success has been passed down through generations, taught in MBA programs, and reinforced by countless self-help books. But what if much of this advice is not only outdated but actively harmful? Take formal education and MBAs for example.

The myth that business education equals business success is crumbling. MBA graduates from top programs including Harvard, Northwestern, and Stanford are having increasing difficulty finding work.The percentage of MBA students without job offers three months after graduation has nearly quadrupled at Harvard from 4% in 2021 to 15% in 2024 [1]. Meanwhile, research shows that 60% of MBAs and other business-related master’s degrees fail to provide a positive return on investment. [2]

In stark contrast, many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs never completed their degrees. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, and countless others achieved massive success without formal business education [3][4][5]. These entrepreneurs prove that real-world experience, adaptability, and practical problem-solving often matter more than theoretical knowledge.

What do you think matters more for business success: a prestigious degree or hands-on experience? Share your story or opinion below!

[1] MBA Grads From Top Schools Struggling to Find Work: Report https://lnkd.in/etpcNp_e

[2] New report finds questionable returns for M.B.A. programs https://lnkd.in/evNT2_r4

[3] The most successful businessmen without degrees https://lnkd.in/eN-uUH_8

[4] Stories Of Successful Entrepreneurs Who Didn't Go To University https://lnkd.in/evXGy5Fc

[5] 50 Successful CEOs Who Made It Big Without College Degrees [2025]