TV board rooms spur a new generation of female entrepreneurs

The city and big business has traditionally been dominated by men, with women making up only a fraction of key roles – however, with the influence of strong businesswomen in the media and on TV, things could be set to change as new research shows that 65% of UK women aspire to start their own businesses and become the boss.

TV shows such as The Apprentice, Dragon’s Den and The Intern increasingly feature successful businesswomen and it seems these could be inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit of British women.

The study, which has been conducted to launch the 5^th Nectar Business Small Business Awards, shows that the desire of would-be-women-entrepreneurs to start their own business has increased by 10% compared to five years ago – indicating the determination of women to challenge the status quo.

With still only two FTSE 100 companies boasting female CEOs, the research conducted amongst 2,900 UK adults shines a positive light on the determination of the UK businesswoman with 53% of women wanting to start their business online and 63% prepared to turn a current hobby into cash, such as setting up a craft / jewellery store (11%) or tea and coffee shop (6%).  The main reasons these women gave for wanting to run their own small businesses were; making their own money (45%), being their own boss (44%) and wanting to have more control over their time (46%).

Long standing businesswomen such as Hilary Devy from The Dragons Den, lingerie boss, Michelle Mone and West Ham Vice Chairwoman and Nectar Business Small Business Awards judge, Karren Brady also appear to be strong role models with their high profile personalities and regular appearances in the media. Indeed, their hard work ethic is reflected in the study with 30% of women saying they are willing to put in 20 hours or more per week - outside of their usual job - to get their business off the ground.

Nectar Business Small Business Awards judge and leading UK businesswomen, Karren Brady comments: “I’m a real advocate of women in business and I think it’s really promising that so many British women have these high aspirations.  Starting my business was the best decision I ever made and I would encourage anyone who has a business dream and believes they have sufficient tenacity, self-motivation and drive to make it successful, to give it a go.

 “I have met many fantastic female entrepreneurs over the past two years judging the Nectar Business Small Business Awards, and I really enjoy being able to recognise and reward fellow business women’s hard work.  I’m really looking forward to meeting this year’s entrants and I hope that this year the 10% increase in women wanting to start their own business is reflected in the number of entrants and the calibre of their businesses.”

The Nectar Business Small Business Awards are open for all small businesses until 30^th April 2013 and are free to enter at www.nectar-business.com/sba2013. Winners will receive £2,000, 50,000 Nectar points and an invite to the Nectar Business Round Table with Karren Brady where they will be able to ask The Apprentice star for her business advice.

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Contact

Niall Hughes on 020 7343 3228 and clarionnectarbusiness@clarioncomms.co.uk

Notes to editor:

Data:

- Poll of 2,926 people in the UK by Nectar March 2013

- ONS Mid-2010 Population Estimates – over 16 years of age

About the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2013:

- The Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2013 provide small businesses with the opportunity to gain the rewards and recognition they deserve

- The Categories include:

1. Small Business of the Year
2. Start Up of the Year (Under one year trading)
3. Innovation of the Year
4. Entrepreneur of the Year
5. Tradesperson of the Year
6. Contribution to the Community

- Awards 1-5 are judged by a panel of experts which include Karren Brady, 2012 winner Chris Li, David Hughes of Brakes and James Frost of Nectar Business

- The sixth award, the Contribution to the Community award, will be open to public vote at  facebook.com/nectarbusiness

- Entering is simple - just visit www.nectar-business.com/sba2013  and download an entry form

- Entries close 30 April 2013

- The winners of the Nectar Business Small Business Awards will receive £2,000 and 50,000 Nectar points

- Case studies of the 2012 Nectar Business Small Business Awards winners are available upon request

About Nectar Business:

- Launched in January 2005, Nectar Business has over 600,000 business collectors

- Nectar Business partners include: Viking, Dulux Decorator Centres, Brakes, BOC, Hertz, American Express and DHL Express

- Collect points online with over 500 retailers - including Argos, trainline.com, Dell, Currys, McAfee, Pixmania and easyJet

- Other Nectar partners include: eBay, Sainsbury’s, BP, Homebase, British Gas, Ford, Vision Express