An impressive 94% of female entrepreneurs say the experience of setting up on their own has matched, or even surpassed, their expectations, according to a new survey.
Nine out of ten women who started their own business has nothing but encouragement for others thinking of setting up on their own, according to the research by Natwest and everywoman.
The number of women setting up their own businesses is up 9% on the same time last year.
“These findings reveal the continued entrepreneurial appetite amongst women in the UK as they choose business ownership as a way to fulfil their personal and career ambitions,” said Ann Crisp, external affairs, NatWest.
Determination appears to be one of the most important factors for achievement, with 70% of those surveyed citing self-belief as crucial to their success.
However, 40% said that being a woman had made it harder to set up a business, and a further half thought that their personal success has been ‘harder won’ than their male counterparts.
“Women in business are a crucial part of Britain’s economy contributing some £130 billion annually,” said Karen Gill, co-founder of everywoman.
“If we saw the same level of female start ups as we do male start ups the country would benefit from some 150,000 more business.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006
