Why Women Between 25-39 Are Dropping the Ball
One in ten UK women are dreaming of launching their own business, but the confidence curve between the ages of 25‑39 keeps many of them stuck in the “just thinking” zone—according to fresh research Facebook ran for its #SheMeansBusiness campaign.
Confidence Levels in the Age‑Range “Hot‑Spot”
- 25‑39 year olds: 64 % feel confident they can start a business, even though twice as many (20 %) want to.
- 40‑54 year olds: 81 % of women say they’re ready that way.
- Late teens & early twenties: 68 % are confident starters.
Why does this matter? If just one in five women who’re eager actually jump in, they could create 425,000 jobs by the end of 2020, pumping an extra £10.1 bn into the UK economy (a figure from a separate Facebook‑backed study by Development Economics).
How Relatable Role Models Can Make a Difference
Another part of the research points to role models that “feel like you” as a game‑changer. Eight in ten (83 %) prospective female entrepreneurs say a relatable role model would spark their business ambitions—especially the 25‑39 cohort.
- Only 34 % of them currently have a role model that truly inspires them.
- What matters most:
- Someone in the same sector they’re eyeing (49 %)
- Who’s overcome failures (44 %)
- Who started from similar financial footing (37 %)
- Celebrity status? Just 8 % think that helps.
Bottom line: if we can hook more women on real‑dear role models, the confidence curve could be flattened, turning those ideas into clicks, delegates, and—yes, we’re talking real jobs!
