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More
women are waking up to the realisation that they can have
it all - a business and a family. Between 1981 and 1997, the
number of self-employed women in the UK increased by 86%.
In the same period the number of self-employed males increased
by 38%. Although female self-employment has increased at a
faster rate, women still constitute a minority (about 35%)
of the total self-employed.
A
survey by NatWest bank found that women entrepreneurs are
less driven than men by the desire to make a lot of money,
instead they are more motivated by the sense of personal satisfaction
in providing a service. According to 'Women in Business: Perspectives
on Women Entrepreneurs' - Allen & Truman (1993), getting finance
proves particularly difficult for women. His is predominantly
due to the stereotyped views of lenders who emphasise women's
childbearing and rearing responsibilities in construing them
as a high risk.
Self-employment
tends to be a midlife choice for women, with the majority
starting up businesses after the age of 35, half of self-employed
women have at least one or more dependent children and a fifth
have at least one child under five.
Share
Your Experiences
Are
you a female entrepreneur? Are you willing to share your experiences
on why and how you started your business, on whether you faced
any obstacles or received useful advice or help. Why not get
in contact with us email us at: info@businessvision.co.uk
Useful
contacts & further information
Phoenix
Fund
Includes a development fund designed to encourage projects
to support entrepreneurs from under-represented groups, including
women.
Tel: 0114 259 7463
Small
Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
Designed to provide loans from banks and other institutions
to small businesses that have viable business proposals but
have failed to obatin conventional loans because of lack of
security.
Tel: 0114 259 7308/9
Email: sflgs@sbs.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish
Businesswomen
An online business centre for women run by Wellpark Enterprise
Centre and Scottish Enterprise.
www.scottishbusinesswomen.com
Wellpark
Enterprise Centre
Integrated women's business centre in the UK.
Tel: 0141 550 4994
www.wellpark.co.uk
Women's
Unit
The Women's Unit develops policies across government to deliver
practical improvements to women's lives and ensure they have
choices and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
Tel: 020 7273 8800
www.womens-unit.gov.uk
Federation
of Black Women Business Owner
Is
a non-profit making organisation, set up to provide support
network for Black Women Business owners. Address: Suite
One, Two Tunstall Road, LONDON, SW9 8DA, Tel 020 7978
9488 Fax 020 7978 9490 Email: asapcoms@dircon.co.uk
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