In 2011 a Government survey found that the growth in number of female entrepreneurs had stalled and that their numbers decline the more successful the ventures they set up become.
It discovered that only 14 per cent of small and medium-sized firms are women-led, the same as in 2007, the authoritative government survey of 4,500 businesses found.
While 21 per cent of start-ups in 2010 involved female founders, the proportion fell to 13 per cent for small firms employing more than 10 people and only eight per cent of all medium-sized companies.
So with these statistics in mind you might wonder why I endeavored to deliver a talk to CostaWomen, a thriving, award winning women’s network in Spain founded by Ali Meehan entitled The best time to be a female entrepreneur is NOW!
Well here are the 5 reasons that I shared on why I think that the best time to be a female entrepreneur is NOW!
- Feminine skills in feminine structures
Women are collaborators, we are heavily engaged, motivational, and extremely well suited to emerging, less hierarchical workplace rather than traditional large male structures found in the majority of large corporate organisations. In addition women have an eye on the future, we are concerned with the legacy we leave for the next generation, rather than short term gain.
- Women do the majority of the buying and we know how women think!
Women control 83% of all consumer purchases, including consumer electronics, health care and cars. Forward-looking companies understand they need women to figure out how to market to women. As women we know how women think nad have a direct link to our customers.
- Access to capital is easier
These days its unlikely that you’ll need a huge investment to get your business up and running with crowd funding and angel investors its easier than its ever been to by pass banks to get the seed funding that you need.
- Location doesn’t matter
You don’t have to be in Silicon Valley to start a business in 2013. You can even do it from your bedroom where many online businesses started. I coach clients online wherever they are in the world.
5. Achieving Work Life Balance
A recent LinkedIn Survey found that women value work-life balance more than salary or position. Entrepreneurship offers more flexibility to juggle work with your other responsibilities, such as a 3 day week, at night after the kids go to bed, or even from a coffee shop.
However, women are still holding themselves back, a third of the female population would start a business if it wasn’t for the fear of failure (‘Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’ London Business School, 2003)
I also shared in my talk the 3 A’s on how to combat this fear. You’ll have to come along to one of my talks to find them out, or sign up for my newsletter as I’ll be sharing a resource on this very soon.
I’ll leave you with a video of my interview on Spanish TV, Mijas 3.40
and my radio interview on ItalkFM Radio in Spain with Verenina Conti
I am Jenny Garrett, Executive Coach, founder of Reflexion Associates, a leadership and coaching consultancy and author or Rocking Your Role – the how to guide to success for female breadwinners. Find out more about me, my programmes, speaking engagements and training at rockingyourrole.com and sign up for my newsletter