More mums plan to start own businesses

An increasing number of mothers are planning to launch their own business next year in a bid for a better work/life balance, a new study showed today.

Research has revealed 2010 could be the year of the "mumpreneur" because of a growing desire by women to have more flexibility in their working lives while being their own boss.

The study by BT showed 15 per cent of women had started their own business since having children.

One in 10 of the 1,200 mothers questioned aspired to having their own business, partly because they wanted to choose their own working hours, balance their work and family lives, or simply because they fancied being their own boss.

Shropshire businesswoman Kate Mitchell set up on her own when she was on maternity leave and now runs The Wenlock Buffet Company. Having worked for others in catering since her teens, she saw an opportunity to work for herself while spending more time with her new family.

She said: "I have always loved cooking and I previously worked in a kitchen preparing food for events. When I left to go on maternity leave, I decided not to go back but to take the plunge and see if I could do it myself.

"It was a bit of a risk moving from full-time employment, but I wanted the chance to see my daughter grow up and working from home has allowed that."

The family allotment gave her the idea to use fresh produce that could be sourced from around the area.

BT said the results showed the UK was experiencing an increase in "mum-preneurs", partly fuelled by the emergence of online social networks which created more business opportunities for women.

Women looking to start their own business said they would work from their living room, kitchen or bedroom.

Ivan Croxford, general manager digital marketing services at BT Business said: "We're witnessing the rise of the mumpreneurs.

"Mums across the UK are embracing the internet and keeping the UK's entrepreneurial spirit alive. We've seen evidence of this on our social business network, BT Tradespace where we're increasingly connecting with women starting their own businesses. We need to ensure that this vital community gets the right support to thrive."

By Business Editor Amy Bould