Business News
10 most popular businesses founded by women named
Based on the 117,000 start-up business requests received in 2011, business insurance specialists, Simply Business have compiled a list of the top 10 most popular business types started by women last year:
1. Cleaner
2. Beautician
3. Hairdresser
4. Pet Minder
5. Cake Maker
6. Market Trader
7. Caterer/Chef
8. Teacher/Training
9. Accountant/IFA
10. Fitness Instructor
With a prevalence of creative and service-based businesses on the list, Simply Business points out that women are capitalising on emerging lifestyle trends; however, it has also been noted that there has been an increase in education consultants, accountants and lawyers – what they term as ‘hard skills’ businesses.
Women are doing it for themselves...
It goes without saying that it’s fantastic news that more women in a wider range of industries are taking the leap into self-employment. However, even better news is that there has been an overall 25% increase in the amount of start-ups led by women in 2011, rising from 2010’s figure of 34,116 to 42,928 in 2011.
This means that the total proportion of start-ups run by women is rising; in 2010, it was 25%, whereas 2011 saw a massive increase to 37%.
Chief Executive of Simply Business hints that this rise may be due to the current employment situation: “With unemployment at its highest for 23 years it is encouraging to see that more and more women are embracing the opportunity to set up on their own,” he says. “Entrepreneurship can provide fantastic lifestyle and financial benefits, not to mention the boost it can potentially bring to the economy.”
...but it’s still a ‘man’s world’
These increased numbers of women becoming more independent and entrepreneurial is excellent; however, Jason’s comment also implies that a reason why more women are taking that step into starting their own business is because they are being made redundant at a greater rate than their male counterparts (this may be a contentious point and it may not be true, but it needs to be addressed). Even at the dawn of 2012, there is still that lingering feeling amongst many that the world of business is still seen as a ‘man’s world’.
Former BBC Young Apprentice competitor and 19 year-old entrepreneur, Emma Walker, addresses this point in a more direct manner. She has recently set up Enterprise Days, an education consultancy that provides schools and sixth forms with one day business challenges that are run by young, successful entrepreneurs.
“There’s a perception among many of my peers that business is hard-nosed, aggressive and too demanding for a balanced lifestyle or healthy family life,” she explains. “But I believe that isn’t the case and, although it is hard work, if you shape your business around something you love then it is also the most rewarding career I can imagine.
“There need to be more opportunities for young women to engage with and feel inspired by business,” she continues. “Many of the networking events I attend are almost exclusively attended by men and that definitely needs to change.”
