Entrepreneur and women entrepreneurship advocate Lisa Jones shed light on the challenges women entrepreneurs currently face in the latest State of the SHE-nation survey.
This nationwide survey of over 200 women entrepreneurs conducted through Jones’ SHE-com community revealed that while women-led businesses are thriving with innovation and resilience, significant challenges remain.
In particular, the findings took note of the following challenges:
- Rising costs impact: 67.5 per cent cite the rising cost of living as having a direct impact on their business operations, with 28.7 per cent of respondents considering shutting down due to mounting pressures. 36.4 per cent of women reported stagnation or decline in business growth over the past year
- Burnout and work-life balance: 34.8 per cent of respondents frequently feel overwhelmed by the dual challenges of personal and professional responsibilities. 78.4 per cent find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Societal pressures: 81.3 per cent of respondents feel societal gender expectations have made their entrepreneurial journey harder.
- Funding barriers: Despite their drive, 66.1 per cent of participants rely on personal finances to fund their businesses, while 19.6 per cent feel that their gender has been a barrier to securing external funding. 55.9 per cent meanwhile never pursued funding options.
- Skill development: 73.2 per cent rely on self-directed learning, such as online courses, to improve their business skills.
- Marketing struggles: 48.3 per cent cite marketing as their most significant business challenge, with 60.4 per cent specifically struggling with social media marketing.
The findings also highlighted that while passion, flexibility, and financial independence are the primary motivators for starting a business, achieving these goals is a work in progress for most women entrepreneurs. Only 15.1 per cent feel they have fully realised their initial aspirations, pointing to the need for sustained support.
Jones remarked, “This survey highlights the resilience and creativity of women entrepreneurs, but it also underscores the systemic barriers they face. From funding gaps and the impact of Cost of Living to the pressures of societal expectations, these insights are a call to action for policymakers, investors, and support networks to better empower these incredible women.”
“This survey stands as a testament to the potential of women entrepreneurs and the transformative role of targeted support,” Jones added. “Together, we can create an environment where women don’t just survive in business but thrive.”
