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 SHEcom 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.
Key Findings: Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs
The survey reveals that while women-led businesses are thriving with innovation and resilience, significant challenges remain. Among the findings:
- 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.
- 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.
- Societal Pressures: A staggering 81.3% of respondents feel societal gender expectations have made their entrepreneurial journey harder.
- 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.
- Skill Development: 73.2% rely on self-directed learning, such as online courses, to improve their business skills.
- Marketing Pain Points: Almost half (48.3%) cite marketing as their most significant business challenge, with 60.4% specifically struggling with social media marketing.
Women Entrepreneurs’ Motivations and Aspirations
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.”
A Call to Action for Better Support
“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 who has successfully launched three multi-million-dollar ventures, including the globally acclaimed Ecoriginals, 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.”
