Dreams of self-employment

More than 10 million Brits dream of leaving their job and starting their own business, according to new research from Business Link.

35 per cent of workers have recently thought about setting up on their own, with one in five of those planning to make the leap into self-employment next year. The average worker even spends three days a year day dreaming at their desk about their future business.

But while 15 per cent dream of becoming their own boss because they aren’t happy in their current job, 37 per cent admit the main reason is simply to earn more money than they do at the moment. More than 40 per cent are thinking of starting up their own business because they crave more freedom in the way they work, while a quarter want to turn a hobby into a paying business.

Says Rosemary French of Business Link: “It’s encouraging to see how many people dream of setting up their own business to enjoy the flexibility and benefits of working for themselves. The research also showed that nearly as many women as men are keen to become their own boss.”

But the poll of 2,000 Brits revealed that a third of people dreaming of setting up their own business might not get round to doing it because they are unsure how to go about it. Money is another concern, with 30 per cent of aspiring bosses saying they are worried about getting into debt or adding to existing money problems.

45 per cent of people questioned for the survey said they would fund a new company with a bank loan, overdraft or even a credit card. But 41 per cent of people admitted the current economic climate may make them less likely to start up their own business in the near future.

The poll also revealed that retail, art and culture and health are the most popular sectors Brits would consider entering when starting up a new business.