Skip to main content
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, the home of business support.

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Female-led start-ups set to power economic recovery

9 March 2021

A new survey by Small Business Britain has found that almost one-fifth of women are thinking about starting their own business.

Research firm Yonder/Populus polled 1,000 UK female consumers on behalf of Small Business Britain and found that almost one in five (17%) were considering starting a business.

The motivations of the would-be entrepreneurs vary but many have been influenced by their experiences during the pandemic - including some that have lost work and others that have been inspired to add meaning to their working lives. The findings show that:

  • 42% hope to turn a passion into a business;
  • 34% are looking to supplement their income with a side hustle;
  • 17% are reconsidering their current job;
  • 14% said they have been inspired by the pandemic to contribute to society;
  • 10% have suffered a job loss.

"This research underlines that female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK," said Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain.

"While 2021 will of course continue to be tough for small businesses, there are huge opportunities out there for women to grow and start their businesses. We saw a wave of start-up activity after the last recession, and with other figures sadly showing that women have been particularly affected by recent redundancies, I believe female-led businesses will be at the very heart of the UK's recovery."

In fact, new data published by freelancer body IPSE this week has highlighted the "disproportionate financial struggle" of female freelancers during the pandemic.

Late payment, in particular, has caused serious problems for female freelancers: 22% have not had enough money to cover basic living costs, compared to 11% of male freelancers. They are also more likely than men to have had no money to cover work-related expenses (23% compared to 15%). Female freelancers are also more likely to have had to borrow money from family and friends (19% compared to 8%).

Even so, IPSE also reveals that the number of self-employed women actually dropped less than men during the pandemic, with a 1% fall among women compared to 7% among self-employed men.

Small Business Britain's f:Entrepreneur campaign - commissioned to mark International Women's Day - has called for more support to unlock the opportunity of female-led businesses and provide greater recognition of this group's contribution to communities and the economy.

The f:Entrepreneur campaign was launched in 2017 to highlight inspiring female entrepreneurs that lead small businesses alongside other roles, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support. This year it received a record number of applications from women to be part of its annual #ialso100 campaign, which showcases amazing female entrepreneurs from all over the UK.

Small business minister Paul Scully said: "Supporting women entrepreneurs is essential as we build back fairer from the pandemic, levelling the playing field for people from all backgrounds in business and ensuring that Britain's economy flourishes."

Written by Rachel Miller.