Women Small Business Owners Say They’re Happier Than Ever Being Their Own Boss, Despite Work/Life Balance Struggle and Ongoing Challenges

Rhea-AI Summary

Groupon's latest survey highlights a positive outlook among women small business owners, with 94% expressing happiness in their roles. 76% reported working an average of 12 hours daily, and 64% earned as much or more than prior to starting their businesses. However, 54% noted facing systemic challenges compared to men, particularly regarding access to capital and work-life balance. Groupon is emphasizing support for women-owned businesses during National Women’s Small Business Month by promoting around 2,000 such businesses across the U.S.

Positive

• 94% of women small business owners are happy being their own boss.
• 76% work more than an 8-hour workday, averaging 12 hours daily.
• 64% report making as much or more money compared to before starting their business.
• Groupon features around 2,000 women-owned businesses to support during National Women’s Small Business Month.

Negative

• 54% feel they are held to a different standard than male counterparts in accessing capital and mentorship.
• 54% find it harder to balance work and family life.

•  According to a new Groupon survey of more than 600 women small business owners, 94% are happier than ever being their own boss

• 64% of women small business owners reported they make just as much or more money than they did before running their own business

• 76% of women who own their own business said they work more than the standard 8-hour workday, with the average owner working 12 hours a day

• New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and California identified as the top states for minority women to state a business

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Groupon, the go-to destination for local experiences, is encouraging everyone to celebrate October’s National Women’s Small Business Month. To make it easy to support and shop at women-owned businesses, Groupon is featuring approximately 2,000 women-owned businesses from across the United States. Groupon spoke with more than 600 women small business owners from around the United States to better understand why they decided to become their own boss and how they have remained resilient during the global pandemic.

In recognition of October's National Women's Small Business Month, Groupon spoke with more than 600 women small business owners from around the United States to better understand why they decided to become their own boss and how they have remained resilient during the global pandemic. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Women Small Business Owners Say They’re Held to a Different Standard than Men

According to the survey results, women small business owners continue to face systemic challenges as a result of their gender. Fifty-four percent of women small business owners said they’re held to a different standard than their male counterparts when it comes to accessing capital, acquiring mentors and being taken seriously by their peers. Fifty-four percent of survey respondents also said that it’s harder for them to balance work and family life.

Women Put in the Work to be Their Own Boss

Despite these obstacles, nearly all women small business owners––an overwhelming 94%––are happy with their choice to work for themselves and ready to overcome any challenges thrown their way. Seventy-six percent of women small business owners work beyond the standard 8-hour work day, with the average owner working 12 hours a day. And this hard work is paying off, as 64% of women small business owners said they make as much or more money than they did before opening their own business.

“As one of the largest marketplaces of women-owned small businesses anywhere in the world, we’re excited and encouraged by the progress these entrepreneurs are making, and we’re focused on opening up new opportunities for women –– both internally and externally –– to create a Groupon that’s reflective of the world we want to live in,” said Groupon’s Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomas. “We’re extremely proud of the fact that nearly 60%* of the small businesses on Groupon are owned by women, and we’re committed to ensuring these merchants come out of the pandemic stronger than ever.”

Increasing Awareness and Support for Women-Owned Businesses

According to the survey results, women small business owners have a clear plan and path to drive revenue and accelerate their recovery from the pandemic. The top ways that women-owned businesses are looking to increase profits are the following: growing their social media presence, leveraging sales, expanding inventory, taking advantage of government or small business organization loans and resources and running paid advertising campaigns.

Even before the start of the pandemic, many states invested heavily in education and financial programs to help foster the development and success of small businesses. After the pandemic hit, many states stepped up to help the businesses impacted by movement restrictions in the form of deferring sales tax payments and increasing financial support through state grants.

Groupon asked women small business owners to score their state based on three criteria: how easy it is for women to start their own businesses, support offered to women of color to start their own business and resources provided to help women-owned businesses recover from the pandemic. Based on the survey results, some states consistently showed up as going above and beyond for women entrepreneurs:

• New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida and Ohio were the top states for women looking to start their own business.

• New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and California were identified as the top states for minority women to state a business.

• New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida and Colorado were the top states when it came to helping women-owned businesses recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19.

Taking Action

Groupon is urging consumers to celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month by supporting women-owned businesses in their local communities as well as by making a donation to help provide new women entrepreneurs with much needed capital. To find a women-owned business that you can support in your community, please visit gr.pn/wsbm.

*June 2021 Merchant Satisfaction Survey. Survey of active merchants conducted June 8-23

About Groupon

Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) is an experiences marketplace where consumers discover fun things to do and local businesses thrive. For our customers, this means giving them an amazing selection of experiences at great values. For our merchants, this means making it easy for them to partner with Groupon and reach millions of consumers around the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211001005480/en/

Groupon

Nick Halliwell

nhalliwell@groupon.com

Allison & Partners

Lexi Holden

groupon@allisonpr.com

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Source: Groupon

FAQ

What did Groupon's survey reveal about women small business owners?

Groupon's survey found that 94% of women small business owners are happy being their own boss, with 64% making as much or more money than before.

How many women-owned businesses is Groupon promoting for National Women’s Small Business Month?

Groupon is promoting approximately 2,000 women-owned businesses across the United States.

What challenges do women small business owners face according to Groupon's survey?

According to the survey, 54% of women small business owners feel they are held to a different standard than men, affecting access to capital and mentorship.

What is the average workday length for women small business owners?

The average workday length for women small business owners is 12 hours, with 76% working more than the standard 8-hour day.

What states are identified as supportive for women starting businesses?

New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and California are identified as top states for minority women to start a business.