Multi-tasking mums have what it takes for a bouncing business - 11 January 2008
Ninety two per cent of business-owning mums believe having children improves work skills.Bringing up a baby is inspiring thousands of women to set up their own business, as well as equipping them with the skills to succeed, according to ‘Mum Magnates’ a study out today from Yell.com - the online service from Yellow Pages.
The study (*1), found 40 per cent of ’Mum Magnates’ get the idea to start their own business whilst pregnant, or within a year of their baby being born. In addition, 92 per cent¹ attribute their success to a range of skills developed after becoming a mother. These include multi-tasking, planning ahead, a can-do attitude and efficiency.
Yell.com commissioned the study to mark its sponsorship of the ‘Inspirational Business Mum of the Year’ category at the 2008 Prowess Awards (*2), and worked with renowned psychologist Dr Geoffrey Beattie, to analyse the results.
Commenting on the research, Dr Geoffrey Beattie, said: “Pregnancy has a big effect on the body and the brain; it can elevate your mood for significant periods of time. When people are in an elevated mood state, they are prepared to consider riskier types of initiatives such as launching a business. This can lead to the translation of an initial break-through idea into action.”
Once mums have taken the big leap to set up their own business, the study found they perform a remarkable 18 different job roles – from cook right through to accountant – during any average week. In monetary terms, respondents estimate that they would have to pay an annual salary just shy of £50,000 for someone else to undertake these tasks (*3).
The research also investigated how the internet is playing a key role in this sector. More than half (51 per cent) of those surveyed feel they can’t do without the internet for the freedom and flexibility to work around family commitments it gives them. More than a quarter (27 per cent) log on to work after 5pm and 55 per cent of those work between 9pm and midnight. Nearly a third (30 per cent) of businesses formed by mums are wholly internet-based.
Helen Stevenson, chief marketing officer at Yell said: “It’s particularly interesting to see how much the Internet is helping mothers to release their ambitions and set up their own business. As sponsor of the Inspirational Business Mum of the Year award for a second year running, we’re really looking forward to seeing the nominations from this fantastic group of women.”
Yell.com is now calling for budding mum-magnates to nominate themselves for an award and follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Sarah Steele and her national chain of children’s nurseries. To nominate yourself or a friend, or for general tips and advice on being a business mum go to www.bizmums.yell.com (*4). Yell offers all businesses a free listing across Yellow Pages, Yell.com and Yellow Pages 118 24 7. For more information visit www.yelldirect.com.
*1 Online survey conducted by Vanson Bourne for Yell.com in December 2007 amongst a nationally representative sample of 200 UK business mums (defined as “self employed women who started their business since having children and within the last five years”)
*2 Prowess Awards celebrate the success of women business owners. For more information see www.prowess.org.uk
*3 From the Vanson Bourne research (see above).
*4 A full report including in depth analysis of the research is also available to download on www.bizmums.yell.com
A separate release with specific stats for Northern Ireland is also available.
For further information about this press release, please contact the Yell Press Office.
Yell
Yell is a leading international directories business operating in classified advertising markets in the UK, US, Spain and Latin America through printed, online and telephone-based media. Yell’s principal brands include: in the UK, Yellow Pages, Yell.com and Yellow Pages 118 24 7; in the US, Yellow Book and Yellowbook.com; and in Spain, Paginas Amarillas and PaginasAmarillas.es. All these brands are trademarks.
Yell.com
Launched in 1996, Yell.com is a leading local search engine and a major online advertising medium for UK companies. Yell.com provides users with a direct route to finding a business, shop or service online using keyword, type of business, or company name and location as search criteria. Users can review relevant search results and quickly determine the right business for their needs.
Yell.com’s database of more than two million UK business listings including 208,000 searchable advertisers (September 2007) can be accessed via the web site www.yell.com or on mobile phones. In January 2007, Yell.com launched two free mobile services, application and browser based, making its business listings, maps and directions available to all mobile internet users.
www.yell.com provides several other features in addition to business details, such as zoom-enabled maps with directions, closest car parks and other useful local information. Personalisation features are available including downloadable toolbars and a personal Yell.com address book to keep a record of regularly used businesses.
