The Government estimates that only a quarter of the self-employed workforce are women even though over half of the UK’s population is female.

Even though the plans announced in this years budget to offer advice to women wishing to start a business (particularly mothers), there are still many barriers facing small business start ups.

Emma Jones is an entrepreneur who set up her business from her spare room. She claims that running her own business gives her more flexibility between her home and work life.

“I just thrived on have control over my working and personal time. Women in particular are suited to entrepreneurship because they keep up important things like the school run and sports days while still running their business,” Emma Said.

Emma set up a website designed to offer advice on running your business from home in January 2006 and now has a readership of 400,000 people.

She feels that many women don’t have the confidence to start their own business and has recently written a book about her journey and what gave her the courage to do it all.

“I think a lot of women are lacking in confidence. Women are great business managers, they have the ability to multi task and many women are great organisers.”

Recent research has suggested that women prefer to be their own boss because it allows them more flexibility with their home life.

Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality commissioned the research and found that the biggest motivation for women setting up their own business, according to 70 percent of those polled, was the flexible aspect of their career. 75 percent also said that working for themselves had improved the balance between work and home life.

Harriet Harman said, “Mothers often tear their hair out trying to balance earning a living with bringing up their children, and need more flexibility from their work. Setting up their own business can be the solution.”

“Women want to call the shots by running their own business. They’re recognising that being their own boss gives them control and allows them to balance their work and family life.”

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