Just
the facts, Please!
In the UK, a recent study commissioned by the Ministry for Small Business
and E-Commerce had some promising findings:
One third of businesses with a turnover of up to £1 million are
now owned by women,
with an average turnover in their first year of £115,000 pounds,
women owned businesses are contributing over £120 billion pounds
annually to the UK economy.
It gets better: over 90% of women and men believe it is now easier
for women to start their own business with cultural change and increased
opportunities for women being the primary reasons.
Women entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly important
role in the UK economy and business support organizations.
The study also found that 45% of women surveyed said
that they were starting a business that was entirely different from
their previous job. 59 per cent of women entrepreneurs are sole owners
of their business, compared with only 38 per cent of male entrepreneurs.
Not only are women showing themselves to be more adventurous these
days they are also starting their own business with their families in
mind, 35% of the women surveyed said that they were starting a business
in order to spend more time with their families.
Why are so many women in the UK starting their own businesses? It turns
out for the same reasons many women around the world are: they want
to be their own boss; they want control of their working hours and they
want all the trimmings that come with owning one’s own company
be it financial or personal.
Success Stories
The UK is full of female success stories. Karen Hanton created and
owns the popular Toptable.co.uk, the UK’s leading restaurant booking
website. Karen was the first in the UK to have a website that enabled
customers to book a restaurant online.
Caroline Rowland is the founder and managing director of New Moon;
a television production company that makes commercials, television programs
and corporate films. Their client list is impressive, Saab, American
Express, Proctor and Gamble, and most recently the promotional film
for the bid for the London 2012 Olympic campaign. Entitled,
“
London 2012- Make Britain Proud” the film has become the focal
piece of the 2012 London campaign.
Jacqueline Gold of Ann Summers and Knickerbox - two lingerie companies
that revolutionized the way lingerie is sold. Jacqueline took over her
father’s company in 1987 and in 2004 with a gross annual sales
turnover at over £155 million, Ann Summers now ranks as one of
the most successful and profitable private companies in the UK.
Words of Advice
Business owners who were surveyed for the study commissioned by the
Ministry for Small Business were unanimous in their advice to women
thinking about going into business for themselves: 1. Go for it! 2.
Research your market and 3. Be determined.
Inspired? Here are some places to further inspire and support you.
http://www.www2wk.com
http://www.busygirl.co.uk
http://www.scottishbusinesswomen.com
http://www.startups.co.uk
http://www.ledis.co.uk/abstract.php?id=A828
http://www.ukbusinessclubs.com/BusinessDirectory
http:// www. EntrpreneursUK.com
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