The freedom to take control of their own lives, and therefore decide how and when to fit work in around other life commitments, is the top reason for the nation’s female business owners choosing to start their own company, according to the Women-owned Micro Businesses Trend Report.
However, harmony at home for a micro business owner doesn’t come easily. The report, which explores the attitudes and challenges of female entrepreneurs in the UK and US, also reveals that achieving the right work-life balance is still the biggest challenge they face (62 per cent). Limited access to funding (50 per cent) and gender discrimination (35 per cent) made up the rest of the top three.
Colleen Wong from Teddington, owner of Techsixtyfour, started her business in 2015 having previously left her job in an investment bank to start a family. Wong says, ‘Juggling work, family and life is a major challenge and sometimes we try to have it all. But it’s important not to feel guilty if everything isn’t perfect. My kids watch TV when I need to make important calls and my partner is on his own most evenings as I need to work. I used to feel guilty about all these things and more but I don’t anymore. As long as you try your best that’s all anyone can do.’
Working mums
Contrary to fears that the added responsibility of childcare might hinder the ability to run a successful business, the study also shows that women with larger families had a more positive outlook for the future of their company. In fact, 64 per cent of entrepreneurial mums with three or more children expect their business to grow over the next five years.
An overriding driving factor for this is the desire to do well and set a good example for their children, to show them that working hard and following your passion does pay off.
Trynka Shineman, president of Vistaprint says, ‘It’s inspiring to see the vast majority of female business owners feel that their home life and personal satisfaction has benefitted from running their own business. They have more control over their schedules and get more choice over the work they actually want to do.
‘At Vistaprint we have the opportunity to work with millions of business owners around the world. We find that what many of them have in common is how much they are driven by this freedom, along with the enjoyment of pursuing their passion, over dreams of huge financial success.’
To help your company stand out at networking events and exhibitions, Vistaprint offers business cards, signage, flyers, promotional apparel and more in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes. And regardless of the quantity or size of your order, you pay a low, flat rate across all delivery speeds. Perfect for stocking up for a big event.
Vistaprint is the leading provider of customisable printed and digital marketing materials, enabling millions of UK micro businesses of any kind and at any stage to market themselves professionally.
Vistaprint is a sponsor of the Sole Trader of the Year and Micro Business of the Year (2-7 staff) categories at the British Small Business Awards.
Further reading on female business owners
