Last month, Intuit asked YouGov to survey 2,000 British people to find out just how much interest they have in setting up their own business, and whether the recession has impacted their entrepreneurial dreams.
The result were some fascinating findings which confirmed that while people would like set up their own business in 2009, the recession has curbed enthusiasm.
• A third of Brits have or would like to set up their own business, but have put off their decision due to recession fears.
• Half think that now is a worse time to set up a business compared to this time last year.
• 40% believe that the recession has delayed their ambitions in setting up a business alone.
• 36% of people aged between 25-34 hope to set up on their own one day, compared to just 22% of 45-54 year olds.
On the whole, the results show that people are wary. The downturn has knocked confidence in the staying power of small businesses, and the results echo the awareness of the risk involved. It seems the older, wiser, more experienced folks who have struggled through previous recessions are more reluctant to take on the risk whereas the younger, less experienced budding entrepreneurs are still keen and rearing to go.
With increased support for small business more evident and a New Year just around the corner, who knows, attitudes may change in the near future. We certainly hope small businesses keep fighting and get the support they so desperately need, especially since they are the back bone of the British economy and critical in pulling the UK out of the recession.
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