Empowering Women in Business
Address
6th Floor
99 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7NG
Sol House
29 St Katherine's Street
Northampton
NN1 2QZ
Legal
Address
6th Floor
99 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7NG
Sol House
29 St Katherine's Street
Northampton
NN1 2QZ
Legal
Our report into the main challenges faced by women business owners
Four in five women business owners have experienced sexism, gender inequality and unequal access to opportunities whilst running their business, according to new research from Simply Business.
Following a survey of more than 900 women business owners, we’re shining a light on key challenges, barriers to growth, as well as opportunities to drive change.
Win a mentorship with Baroness Karren Brady CBE
About Simply Business
We’re one of the UK’s largest business insurance providers. Since we started life in 2005, we’ve helped three million small businesses and self-employed people find the protection that’s right for them, from builders to bakers and personal trainers (we cover landlords, too).
More than 800,000 customers across 1,000 different trades trust us to support them with their insurance.
You can build a policy tailored to your business, choosing the covers that you need to help protect your business’s name.
Free resources for small business owners
Benefits of having a business mentor
Develop your skills, refine your ideas, and determine the direction you want to take your business next.
Is work-life balance possible when you have a side hustle?
Getting a startup off the ground can mean sacrificing a lot of your free time, so how do you make sure your work and life balance is working for you?
Download a business proposal template
We’ve created a business proposal template to help you create a professional-looking document and win new clients. Read our guide and download the template here.
How to write a business plan
It’s important to know how to write a business plan, because it helps you answer questions about your business and recognise potential obstacles before you set it up properly.
An expert guide to marketing
Not sure where to start with your marketing? Stuck for inspiration? Here are some ideas on how to grow your business and get noticed by your customers.
Small business grants in the UK
You may be eligible for some of these grants for small businesses and startups. Read our guide for info and tips on how to apply.
Register to join our small business networking event
If you’d like to join us for an afternoon of inspirational speakers and the chance to meet other small business owners like you, register your interest below.
On the day you’ll get an exclusive goody bag and be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win an iPad (terms and conditions apply).
This is a free event for small business owners. Places are limited, so we’ll be allocating exclusive tickets via our ballot system.
Registration closes on 15 November and we'll be contacting successful ticket holders by email.
Win a mentorship with Baroness Brady CBE
Key challenges for women
in business
Fewer than one in three small businesses in the UK are run by women* – but what’s holding them back? Our survey of more than 900 women who run their own businesses highlighted some of the key barriers they face.**
What needs to be done to tackle gender inequality in business?
We asked over 900 women about their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations for their businesses. Our survey revealed five key areas that will help to level the playing field for women in business. And our Women in Business community group is free to join for support and inspiration.
Simply Business in partnership with Baroness Karren Brady CBE
We’re partnering with Baroness Karren Brady CBE for the next 12 months on ways we can support the small business community. As our first Small Business Ambassador, she’ll be offering her time and experience to help one woman business owner to develop their skills and confidence in a mentoring session.
Our competition to win a mentorship with Baroness Brady has now closed. Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future competitions.
*Based on Simply Business insured businesses in January 2023
**Data based on survey of 909 women business owners in February 2023
Mentorship
competition
What needs to
be done?
Highlighting
the challenges
Our competition to win a mentorship with Baroness Brady has now closed.
We'll be in touch with the winner over the next few weeks – so keep an eye on your inbox.
One in four have had to put their business plans on hold due to the cost-of-living crisis
92% women business owners say more government support is needed.
With improved access to:
government-sponsored funding
training
networking opportunities
1. Accessible, affordable childcare, available to all. So that women don't have to choose between caring for their family and running their business.
2. More support for the self-employed when pregnant – so that men and women can both take the necessary amount of maternity and paternity leave.
3. Greater access to funding, enabling women to scale their businesses in a way that matches their ambitions.
4. Greater awareness of the impact of the perimenopause/menopause – and more support for those experiencing it.
5. More training, networking, and mentoring opportunities – so that women are equipped with the tools they need to grow their business.
Baroness Karren Brady CBE
Karren Brady is Vice Chairman of West Ham United Football Club, a Peer in the House of Lords and features on BBC's The Apprentice. She's one of the UK's leading female business speakers, a best selling author, columnist and is a non-executive director of global media businesses.
In 2013 she was awarded a CBE for her contribution to women in business and entrepreneurship. She's also been listed as One of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by BBC Woman's Hour.
“Karren's views are invaluable and definitely made me think in a large-scale way.”
Tina Cox
Winner of our mentorship competition in 2022
Tips for growing your business
Two inspiring female founders, Harpreet Kaur and Lucy Hitchcock, share their tips on how to build a brand and supercharge your business. Download this guide for practical resources and an editable business worksheet to help you find your purpose and set new goals.
Live webinar with Baroness Brady CBE
Keep an eye out for our upcoming webinar with Baroness Karren Brady CBE, where she’ll be sharing her own inspirational story of becoming the UK’s most prominent women in business.
