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Have you ever wondered how much mums who own their own businesses contribute to the economy, or what makes them so successful?

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Mum Magnates - 2008 Research

The Juggling Act - 2007 Research

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The Juggling Act - 2007 Research

What's it really like for mums who juggle running a business with family life? Yellow Pages asked 242 business mums about the experiences and challenges they face.

If you're setting up in business, this section gives you a real insight into being a business mum: the good, the bad and the ugly!

What are the Top Ten most common 'business mum' sectors?
Childminding heads up the Top Ten most popular businesses for mums starting up at home, showing that family is at the heart of business mums' lives, both in and out of working hours.

A separate analysis of the number of businesses listed under these classifications in Yellow Pages directories reveals significant increases over the past five years.

Rank Sector Increase
1 Childminders & Crèches +806 %
2 Baby Goods & Services +36%
3 Marketing & Advertising
Consultants		 +36%
4 Accounting & Book Keeping
Services		 +144%
5 Artists +159%
=6 Beauty Salons & Consultants +108%
=6 Designers - Advertising & Graphic +42 %
7 Complementary Therapies +351%
=8 Tutoring +191%
=8 Party Planners & Organisers +290%
=8 Cleaning Services - Domestic +229%
=9 Hairdressers - Mobile +57,200%
=9 Weddings - Organisers & Planners +436%
=10 Internet Web Design +196%
=10 Secretarial Services +42%
* % increase in Yellow Pages directory listings since 2000

Business may be booming, but it's not all plain sailing for women who opt for a career change and trade in the boardroom for the kitchen table in the hope of 'having it all'.
For more than a third (38 per cent) of business mums their 'big idea' was based on a career that enabled them to work from home and juggle parenthood.

Nearly half (48 per cent) opt to go it alone whilst more than a third (37 per cent) keep it in their family by setting up a business with their partners.

When asked what factors are critical to the success of their start ups one in five (20 per cent) chose a supportive family ahead of fundamentals like sound financial advice (two per cent).

Four in ten (43 per cent) of savvy business mums made sure they acquired relevant skills or training before they embarked on their new business venture.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) say they struggle to make quality time for their partner.
More than a third (35 per cent) are unable to enjoy 'me time'.

More than a third (36 per cent) of female entrepreneurs are between 26 and 30 with 74 per cent starting their new business with a child under two years old.

Two thirds (66 per cent) of 'Kitchen Table Tycoons' are more satisfied running their own business than in their previous jobs.

NB: This research does not include Northern Ireland. For a full set of statistics relating to Northern Ireland please email: sarah.young@jassmarts.com or selina.mcelwee@jassmarts.com

We hope you find the information on this site helpful and that it encourages you to develop your ideas.
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Quick links to the top ten Yell.com classifications recommended by Sarah Steel and other finalists of the 2007 Prowess Awards. Because mums know best…

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Your Comments

I've been in business for a year now, running Generation One magazine - a local parenting magazine in Hull and East Yorkshire. I started the magazine because I had no support network after the birth of my son, Charlie and I realised lots of other Mums are like me - in their 30s, away from their families and with their friends working full time.

My advice would be to not be afraid of being yourself, warts and all. I started off thinking I had to wear a suit and act like a candidate for The Apprentice. I've learned that respect for others and good relationships lead to good sales - not any magic hard sell formula. The magazine has gone from strength to strength because other people recognise what I feel. Sometimes you need to stand up and be counted. It's scary, but it's not all about numbers, running a people business is incredibly valuable too.

Claire Boynton, Hull