WOMEN ARE EMBRACING FRANCHISING – THEY’RE LIFESTYLERS, SENIORPRENEURS, AND SOLE PROPRIETORS
CO-FALL 2009Author :
Donna Messer 
Donna Messer is a networking expert. She is the author of “Effective Networking Strategies” a Canadian Best Seller. Donna is a motivational speaker, addressing audiences on three continents. To reach Donna or get a copy of her book - www.connectuscanada.com
Statistics show that in the past 15 years, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of self-employed women in Canada, with one million Canadian women owning a small business by 2010. Currently there are over 800,000 women business owners in Canada with the number of women-owned businesses growing 60 percent faster than those run by men.
The report suggests that 60 percent of self-employed women are "lifestylers" - business owners who chose self-employment specifically to balance the demands of work and family. 70 percent of Canadian businesswomen are married and nearly a third have children under the age of 12.
Surprisingly, the fastest growing group of businesswomen is those over 55, with an annual growth rate of over 4 percent, double that of self-employed men in the same age group. The CIBC calls this group “seniorpreneurs” and they are a key driver of small business growth.
Statistics show that most women in business have a one-person operation. Women “sole proprietors” are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian small business landscape.
The good news is that the growth in women-owned businesses is more likely to be because of choice than poor economic circumstances.
With information like this, it stands to reason that there be more support for women business owners in Canada, through professional associations, organizations and trade unions.
According to Iain Murphy in his book (The Franchising Handbook: The Complete Guide to Choosing a Franchise), women are in some ways better suited to franchising and make a more attractive group as potential franchisees.
There are a number of interesting characteristics that make women successful in franchising.
• Women are good at organizing, at coordinating activities and people efficiently.
• Women enjoy working towards a common goal.
• Women are good at networking.
Franchising can offer women who are ambitious the opportunity to go into business and to be potentially successful and profitable on a personal and professional level.
Advantages of running your own franchise
• You get to be your own boss, and take control of your own life. Women franchisees are more successful because they enjoy the work life balance franchising can offer.
• With 20% of small businesses failing in the first year of business, the concept of franchising offers assurance for women, interested in minimizing business start-up risks.
• After a career break or pregnancy, women often feel a lack of confidence in returning to the workplace. Franchising gives women the opportunity to rebuild their skills and knowledge in a supportive and successful environment.
This all adds up to one conclusion, franchising offers a tremendous opportunity for ambitious women who are Lifestylers, Seniorpreneurs, and Sole Proprietors to start their own business.
Just as women’s characteristics are suited to franchising, franchising is suited to the needs and demands of women. Women and franchising make a winning combination!
Current Demographics for Women Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
• They are highly educated. One in four self-employed women have a university education.
• The current average age for Canadian businesswomen is 41. This is increasing as the population ages.
• Women are more likely to be in a professional occupation. This includes natural and applied sciences, business and finance-related occupations, and technical and professional occupations in the health sector.
• Women are more likely to be a member of a trade association. Almost 40 percent of women sole proprietors are now union members – twice the rate of men.
• Women business owners are less likely to be immigrants. Only one in five self-employed women are not born in Canada.
• The provinces showing the highest growth for new self-employment business development for women are British .Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Statistics quoted are from the CIBC report "Women Entrepreneurs: Leading the Charge".
The report suggests that 60 percent of self-employed women are "lifestylers" - business owners who chose self-employment specifically to balance the demands of work and family. 70 percent of Canadian businesswomen are married and nearly a third have children under the age of 12.
Surprisingly, the fastest growing group of businesswomen is those over 55, with an annual growth rate of over 4 percent, double that of self-employed men in the same age group. The CIBC calls this group “seniorpreneurs” and they are a key driver of small business growth.
Statistics show that most women in business have a one-person operation. Women “sole proprietors” are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian small business landscape.
The good news is that the growth in women-owned businesses is more likely to be because of choice than poor economic circumstances.
With information like this, it stands to reason that there be more support for women business owners in Canada, through professional associations, organizations and trade unions.
According to Iain Murphy in his book (The Franchising Handbook: The Complete Guide to Choosing a Franchise), women are in some ways better suited to franchising and make a more attractive group as potential franchisees.
There are a number of interesting characteristics that make women successful in franchising.
• Women are good at organizing, at coordinating activities and people efficiently.
• Women enjoy working towards a common goal.
• Women are good at networking.
Franchising can offer women who are ambitious the opportunity to go into business and to be potentially successful and profitable on a personal and professional level.
Advantages of running your own franchise
• You get to be your own boss, and take control of your own life. Women franchisees are more successful because they enjoy the work life balance franchising can offer.
• With 20% of small businesses failing in the first year of business, the concept of franchising offers assurance for women, interested in minimizing business start-up risks.
• After a career break or pregnancy, women often feel a lack of confidence in returning to the workplace. Franchising gives women the opportunity to rebuild their skills and knowledge in a supportive and successful environment.
This all adds up to one conclusion, franchising offers a tremendous opportunity for ambitious women who are Lifestylers, Seniorpreneurs, and Sole Proprietors to start their own business.
Just as women’s characteristics are suited to franchising, franchising is suited to the needs and demands of women. Women and franchising make a winning combination!
Current Demographics for Women Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
• They are highly educated. One in four self-employed women have a university education.
• The current average age for Canadian businesswomen is 41. This is increasing as the population ages.
• Women are more likely to be in a professional occupation. This includes natural and applied sciences, business and finance-related occupations, and technical and professional occupations in the health sector.
• Women are more likely to be a member of a trade association. Almost 40 percent of women sole proprietors are now union members – twice the rate of men.
• Women business owners are less likely to be immigrants. Only one in five self-employed women are not born in Canada.
• The provinces showing the highest growth for new self-employment business development for women are British .Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Statistics quoted are from the CIBC report "Women Entrepreneurs: Leading the Charge".