subject: Mum's the boss! [print this page] Mum's the boss! Mum's the boss!
Recent research from Netmums.com found out that one in eight working mothers who have a full-time office job are desperate to be their own boss. Many of the respondents said they find it hard to balance their current working life with family life, and they feel that they have no choice but to find a different type of career. For this reason, many mums are turning to the option of starting their own business.
Traditionally, men are far more likely to go it alone than women. In fact according to the most recent GEM report, women in the UK are half as likely to start their own business as men. In spite of this, there are currently an estimated one million female entrepreneurs in the UK, generating an impressive turnover of about 4.4billion combined. The research from Netmums.com could mean that this figure is set to grow even further.
But women who decide to take the plunge and start their own business should consider some important facts:
A solid plan is essential to setting up a successful business. So, all budding entrepreneurs should make sure that their plan covers off everything, including how they plan to promote and attract customers.
Small business owners should keep an eagle eye on their cash flow as this is absolutely essential for any business. If numbers aren't your thing, automated financial management tools and accounting software are ideal to keep track of all expenses of the business while saving time and lowering the possibility of mistakes.
Make the most of online forums where you can get advice and tips from other small business owners who have faced similar challenges. You never know you might even end up finding a new customer too!
If you're a small business owner with some useful tips to share around how to balance work and family life, feel free to share them below!
