58% of mums have considered setting up their own business

Almost two thirds of mums are interested in retraining and 58% have considered setting up their own business, according to Workingmums.co.uk’s annual survey.

The transition to parenthood brings huge upheaval and the survey of over 2,300 mumsshows how many are considering leaving their jobs or sector as a result of becoming parents.

The biggest reason by far given for considering starting a business or franchise is the need for greater flexibility – 36% said this. Others reasons given were wanting to be their own boss (15%) and that they had always wanted to set up their own business (17%). While 68% of women were just thinking about starting a business, 15% were already in the early stages of setting up and 10% were working on a business plan. Access to funding was seen as the biggest challenge.

The survey also found 64% of women were interested in retraining. Twenty per cent had retrained in the last 12 months. 71% said they would be more likely to retrain if courses were more flexible.

The survey shows that in addition to losing women to self employment or other sectors, many are still failing to make the most of those who have taken a career break, despite the growing number of returner programmes.