We’re beginning this series on the 23 Most Important Questions to ask according to a long-time writer for Forbes. I wanted to start this as our new series because I’ve read that about half of all new business fail within the first few years. This might be because we, as small business owners, are not asking ourselves and others around us the right questions. I want your business and mine to succeed and thrive, don’t you? If you have a small business in Colorado, you and I are in the same boat, so even if you’ve been in business for a while, these questions are a good refresher course!

Read more: Ask the Right Questions: Commitment and Value

We’re finishing up this series on 20 of the worst pieces of advice that entrepreneurs have ever received from fundera.com. Here are the last 2:

19. “You Need an MBA to Make It”

“The worst advice I’ve ever received as an entrepreneur is that I need to get an MBA before starting a company. I didn’t take this advice and I’m so glad that I went with my gut.

Since then, I’ve realized that they don’t teach entrepreneurship in school. The best way to learn about the world of business is by doing. Better advice would have been to jump into the fire and start learning everything you can while on the job. Work hard and don’t rely on textbooks to teach you what you need to know.”

– Jason Davis, President of ClubConnect.

Read more: What does it really mean to "never give up" on your small business?

I've been terrible about consistent blogging, so I apologize - it's been a busy 2 months! I do want to finish out this series on the worst business advice, though, and these two go hand-in-hand....how do you balance benevolence with making a living and making a profit on top of that?

Read more: If I give it all away, how will I eat?