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The figures from online freelance marketplace PeoplePerHour revealed that the 18-24 year old demographic was the fastest growing age group on its website, with a 97 per cent rise in new micro and small business owners registering in the past year.
The range of businesses they were running was wide and varied, but the top three sectors in terms of numbers were internet-based businesses, apps and retail.
Life balance
As part of the survey, PeoplePerHour asked small business owners across all age demographics how they felt about running a business, especially in the current climate. More than two thirds (70 per cent) said it was not easy and that the next six months would be make or break. When asked what they would do if the business failed, almost half had the ‘if at first you don’t succeed’ attitude, and said they would start another business.
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Asked why they started a business in the first place, a third of those business owners questioned said they started working for themselves for a better work life balance, more than a quarter (26 per cent) wanted to pursue a hobby or passion, while 14 per cent said it was because they were unable to find full-time employment.
On growing the business, when business owners were asked if they were looking to grow or consolidate over the next 12 months, the majority (78 per cent) said they were keen to grow despite the adverse economic conditions.
Younger generation
Xenios Thrasyvoulou, founder and CEO of PeoplePerHour, said: “The barriers to starting a business have never been lower, and this could be one of the main reasons we’re seeing such a big rise in the younger generation choosing to take the self employment route earlier on in their careers.
“The key to this growing trend of new small business owners, not just amongst 18-24 year olds, but across generations, is how easy and cheap it is now to set up a business and build a client base from scratch.
"The emergence of online platforms like PeoplePerHour that provide access to a global pool of potential customers, just a mouse click away, as well as providing easy access to experts, means starting your own business is not as daunting as it once was.
“Our research shows that despite the stresses and money worries that are often associated with starting and growing a business, the rewards and overall satisfaction that people get from being their own boss, clearly helps overcome many of the obstacles standing in their way. The dream of being an entrepreneur is no longer just that.”
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2014
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