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SME owners reveal their motivation

Published On 28 March 2007 at 14:39:30

The vast majority of the owners of small and medium-sized enterprises are driven by the sense of self-worth that their enterprise gives them, a new study suggests.

According to MasterCard Global Commercial Products, 95 per cent of Britain's SME owners said that they loved the fact that their business allowed them to be in control of their own personal goals.

Similarly, 95 per cent also said they worked to provide sufficient income for their family's future happiness. A further nine out of ten SME owners said they enjoyed controlling their own destiny, rather than have it dictated by a boss.

"Many Brits clearly regard breaking out of the large-corporate working environment and working for themselves instead as not only an attractive lifestyle change but also one which will help them to achieve their own self-development aims and aspirations," explained Tuuli Perkio, the vice president for the small business market at MasterCard Europe.

While 80 per cent of SME owners said that the experience of establishing their own business had been as fulfilling as they had imagined it would be, the research shows that these entrepreneurs work an average of 54 hours a week.

"Whilst going into business for yourself is a great opportunity to create a work-life balance which suits your individual needs, it certainly isn't a soft option."

 

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