Women Entrepreneurs on the Increase in Holland
More and more women in the Netherlands are becoming entrepreneurs, according to a report from the EIM, an independent Dutch research and consultancy organisation.
This study provides insight into the development of female entrepreneurship. The data comes from various sources. Figures were collected from Statistics Netherlands and the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, a survey was carried out and a group discussion was held with women entrepreneurs.
The figures
In 2000, women made up 25% of startups. By 2009 this had grown to 35%.
In absolute terms the number of female start-ups increased from about 300,000 to 350,000, which is 32 percent of the total number of entrepreneurs. Thus, one third of Dutch entrepreneurs are women.
Characteristics of female entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are often highly educated and fairly innovative. Half of them work at least 36 hours a week. Most of them run a profitable company, but their average profit is about 60 percent of that of male entrepreneurs.The cause for the lower profit level is perhaps linked with various characterists of female entrepreneurship:
- Only one quarter of women are the main wage-earner.
- Being their own boss is of more importance to women than the growth of their business.
- Women attach great importance to a good balance between work and home.
- Women are often active in sectors that are less profitable, such as launderettes and hair salons.
Annual turnover
60 percent of female entrepreneurs have a turnover of up to ? 50.000 a year. More than 70 percent have a turnover of less than ? 100.000 and 90 percent remains below the ? 500.000. Six percent have a turnover of more than one million euros
Source: NL Patentoffice. The original article can be read here
Emmanuelle Chriqui Kristanna Loken Cameron Richardson FSU Cowgirls Aubrey ODay