Majority of women think about running own firms

About 86 percent of women in this country have thought about starting their own business, according to the results of a survey released yesterday by the National Youth Commission.

The idea is shared by 88 percent of female office workers and 68 percent of female students, the survey showed.

The survey was conducted via online questionnaires on 1,218 women late last month.

Most of the respondents said they are thinking about becoming their own boss because they hope to earn more than a fixed salary, while 10 percent said they hope to do something that matches their interests and expertise.

The leisure and living industry interests most women, especially those below the age of 25, with 26 percent of the respondents saying they hope to run a store with a unique flavor or a theme restaurant.

Operating an online store is also a popular choice because of the low costs and flexibility of the business, with 31 percent of women between 40 and 45 saying they are interested in opening an online store.

However, a lack of confidence about finding business opportunities and the lack of capital are the two main reasons cited for making women hesitate about starting a business.

While 21 percent of the respondents said the lack of capital and the difficulties involving raising capital are the greatest problem in starting a business, 31 percent said they would use their own savings as start-up capital.

Among the women who will seek outside assistance, only 22 percent knew that start-up loans for young people are available at the commission.

The commission is sponsoring an exposition at the Living Mall in Taipei tomorrow and Sunday to highlight the accomplishments of female entrepreneurs. Information on starting a business will also be available at the exhibition.