Passion for business

A new survey has found that more than one in 10 small business owners are more passionate about their businesses than their partners. And those most likely to put business before relationships? Male entrepreneurs and small business owners in London.

The survey, conducted by YouGov for Intuit, maker of accountancy software QuickBooks, asked more than 500 small business owners and directors what motivated them.

In addition to the more than 10 per cent who put their business before their partner, the survey found that half of all respondents felt as passionate about their business as they did about their personal relationship. Female entrepreneurs are more likely to give their relationship and their business equal attention.

“Setting up my own business has changed my perspective on potential relationships,” says Cem Mustafa, co-founder of Muncho, an online lunch delivery business in London.”

He added: “Most of my energy and passion is now going into making my business a success and any future partner would have to be understanding and supportive of that.”

“This survey lifts the lid on the passion behind the small enterprise in this country,” says Susan Lazareff, managing director of Intuit UK. “There is no simple stereotype of the person who decides to start their first business.”

The survey also found that passion for business went hand-in-hand with a desire to gain freedom and autonomy at work. These were the main motives that encouraged 65 per cent of individuals to take the plunge and be their own boss.