Why more women are becoming business owners

More women than ever are choosing self-employment and starting their own businesses. For many, becoming a business owner is now a realistic and achievable career option, regardless of their financial, social or domestic circumstances.

Starting a business no longer requires huge amounts of capital. Often, all it takes is a good idea, a computer and a mobile phone.

Across the business world, attitudes towards women in business continue to evolve, with more female-owned businesses launching every year. Let's look at some of the reasons why more women are becoming entrepreneurs.

Work-life balance

Many women choose self-employment because it offers the opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance.

There are more mums than ever becoming business owners, particularly after starting a family. Many like the idea of creating the best of both worlds, building a successful business while spending more time with their families.

Who wouldn't like the opportunity to earn a living from a product or service they have created? Being able to work flexibly, perhaps after the children have gone to bed, can make running a business an attractive option.

Mumpreneurship

"Mumpreneur" is a term used to describe a woman who raises a family while running a business.

Some women find the term empowering, while others prefer simply to describe themselves as business owners.

Whatever title you choose, there are now many opportunities for mums in business to connect through networking groups, online communities, awards and business events. These communities provide support, encouragement and opportunities to share ideas and grow successful businesses.

Support for female-owned businesses

There is increasing recognition of the important contribution female entrepreneurs make to the UK economy.

Business organisations, networking groups and enterprise programmes continue to encourage and support women who want to start or grow a business. While there is still work to do to achieve greater equality in business ownership, there has never been more support available for women considering self-employment.

As more women launch successful businesses, they are also inspiring others to believe that entrepreneurship is a realistic and rewarding career choice.

Taking the first step

If you want to join the growing community of female business owners, the first step is believing in your idea and having the confidence to develop it.

Whether you're planning to build a business alongside family life, pursue a long-held ambition or create a more flexible career, starting your own business can be both exciting and rewarding.

If you're looking to develop your ideas, build your confidence and create a clear plan for your business, working with a coach can help you take those important first steps.