Key Challenges Facing Women in Small Business
- Written by Lisa Jones
NEW SURVEY UNVEILS KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN SMALL BUSINESS
Lisa Jones, a leading authority in e-commerce and female entrepreneurship, has released groundbreaking insights from the State of the SHE-nation survey conducted through her SHE-com community.
This nationwide survey of over 200 women entrepreneurs sheds light on the pressing issues, motivations, and aspirations of women in small business, offering a powerful glimpse into their journey toward success.
The survey reveals that while women-led businesses are thriving with innovation and resilience, significant challenges remain. Among the findings:
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Rising Costs Impact: 67.5% cite the rising cost of living as having a direct impact on their business operations, with 28.7% of respondents considering shutting down due to mounting pressures. 36.4% of women reported stagnation or decline in business growth over the past year.
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Burnout and Work-Life Balance: Over one-third (34.8%) of respondents frequently feel overwhelmed by the dual challenges of personal and professional responsibilities. A striking 78.4% find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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Societal Pressures: A staggering 81.3% of respondents feel societal gender expectations have made their entrepreneurial journey harder.
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Funding Barriers: Despite their drive, 66.1% of participants rely on personal finances to fund their businesses, while 19.6% feel that their gender has been a barrier to securing external funding. A whopping 55.9% of respondents have never pursued funding options.
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Skill Development: 73.2% rely on self-directed learning, such as online courses, to improve their business skills.
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Marketing Pain Points: Almost half (48.3%) cite marketing as their most significant business challenge, with 60.4% specifically struggling with social media marketing.
These 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. Only a small percentage (15.1%) feel they have fully realised their initial aspirations, pointing to the need for sustained support.
Lisa Jones, founder of SHE-com, 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."
Lisa, a serial entrepreneur that has successful launched three multi-million-dollar ventures, including the globally acclaimed Ecoriginals, the world’s greenest nappy and wipes brand, is dedicated to fostering a supportive, no-BS space for female entrepreneurs through her current venture SHE-com. Offering hands-on programs, retreats, and community-driven support & education, SHE-com empowers women to overcome barriers and achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
“This survey stands as a testament to the potential of women entrepreneurs and the transformative role of targeted support,” Lisa adds. "Together, we can create an environment where women don’t just survive in business but thrive."
For full access to findings, please visit: http://www.shecom.co/state-of-she-nation
More information on she-come can be found on their website www.shecom.co
About Lisa Jones:
Lisa Jones is a trailblazing entrepreneur, e-commerce coach, keynote speaker, MC, author, and podcast host. With over 14 years of experience in building and scaling online brands, she is the founder of three multi-million dollar companies, most notably Ecoriginals, the world’s greenest nappy and wipes brand. Now, through her latest venture, SHE-com, Lisa is building a global community dedicated to empowering female e-commerce entrepreneurs.
With a team of 36 staff supporting thousands of female brand owners globally, SHE-com offers a collaborative space where women can access the tools, strategies, and support needed to succeed in e-commerce. SHE-com is known for its hands-on programs, retreats, and events, fostering community over competition and offering real, no-BS guidance.
Lisa has a number of accolades to her name – a previous winner (and later a judge) of the Telstra Best in Business Awards, 2023 winner of Smart 50 Community Hero Awards, #56 AFR Fast Starters List 2023, 2024 & 2023 Finalist in the Gold Coast Women in Business Award, and many more. She is dedicated to help & inspire powerhouse women to build and grow their brands and create lasting success, whatever that looks like for them.
