Creative business thinking – Will your new business idea be able to fit in with your family life? According to a recent study, more than a third of female entrepreneurs are between 26 and 30 and three quarters were in employment prior to starting up their own venture. Motivated by a need for greater work flexibility at the birth of their first child, two thirds of these business mothers are more satisfied running their own business than in their previous jobs. The report also revealed that nearly half opt to go it alone, whilst more than a third of business mums keep it in the family by setting up a business with their partners. 43 per cent of business mums made sure they acquired relevant skills or training before they embarked on their new business venture and have taken skills gained in the workplace into their own organisation. But when asked what factors are critical to the success of their start ups, one in five chose a supportive family ahead of business fundamentals like sound financial advice. Childminding is the most popular business for mums starting up at home, followed by businesses providing baby goods and services, showing that family is at the heart of many business mums’ lives, both in, and out of, working hours. Nearly one sixth (15 per cent) of business mums claim to have set up their business because they spotted a gap in the market, with some of the more unusual business start ups including dog grooming and karate tuition. Success can, however, come at a price. In a recent survey, more than a quarter of mums who run their own companies from home say they struggle to make quality time for their partner and more than a third are unable to enjoy ‘me time’. Clearly, it is important to choose a line of work that will not disrupt the original intention of being able to enjoy working from home. An enterprise whereby work can be done at home, either as a service run within the family home or conducted by over the internet or telephone, will provide much more stability than a line of work that requires extensive travelling and external site visits. Running your own business can actually end up being more time consuming and more stressful than working for a busy company and, certainly, the risks are far greater. There is also a constant pressure to work all the time as taking time off means no income. Moreover, competition is fierce in an already saturated market in many business areas leading to increased pressure to agree to customers’ onerous demands just to ensure that contracts are won and money earned. Careful time management and scheduling and a strict sense of self discipline are of paramount importance if a new mum is to be able to stay at home and look after both the baby and the company. However, there are many excellent support networks for mums in the UK to get help and advice from when needed and, if managed carefully, this can be a most rewarding way of doing business whilst enjoying watching a young child grow up. so women is business in getting more and more popular.
Facts and statistics about UK franchisinG click me Could franchise be the key to self employment? click me Franchise businesses – a ready made business opportunity – why it may be right for you. click me |
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