Female-led start-ups 'need confidence'
Nov 06 2008
Confidence is the main hurdle for women starting a business, as they have to earn it and build on it, says one female entrepreneur.
Deirdre Bounds, a businesswoman who went from a bedsit to selling her ethical travel company I-to-I for millions, says women often do not have the inbuilt confidence that men do.
She admits she 'didn't have huge confidence' in her abilities when starting out in business and that this is a common problem for women.
'Confidence is the main hurdle women face. You've really got to enjoy what you do and if you're passionate about it, there's nothing to stop you doing it,' Bounds says.
She states reputation is also key to being successful and that women should take more risks, saying they are often very cautious when starting out.
Bounds adds many females who look for funding to start a new venture will only ask for small sums of money, whereas their male counterparts will be more assertive and ask for more.
The entrepreneur recently spoke at a Yorkshire Women in Business event in Leeds, aimed at female start-ups.
She found attendees were worried their personal responsibilities would mean they could not put as much time into the new business as they would like.
Deirdre Bounds, a businesswoman who went from a bedsit to selling her ethical travel company I-to-I for millions, says women often do not have the inbuilt confidence that men do.
She admits she 'didn't have huge confidence' in her abilities when starting out in business and that this is a common problem for women.
'Confidence is the main hurdle women face. You've really got to enjoy what you do and if you're passionate about it, there's nothing to stop you doing it,' Bounds says.
She states reputation is also key to being successful and that women should take more risks, saying they are often very cautious when starting out.
Bounds adds many females who look for funding to start a new venture will only ask for small sums of money, whereas their male counterparts will be more assertive and ask for more.
The entrepreneur recently spoke at a Yorkshire Women in Business event in Leeds, aimed at female start-ups.
She found attendees were worried their personal responsibilities would mean they could not put as much time into the new business as they would like.
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