The candidates for entrepreneurship abound, but their number is no longer rising. The Barometer of Veuve Clicquot, identifies barriers and solutions.

39% of businesses are created by women in France (1). A figure stable since 2015, whereas it was increasing in the last thirty years. Less positive still : the index business share of the French who are or have been in an entrepreneurial way – is only 27% (2). What is needed, therefore, to rise again and reach parity ? The company Veuve Clicquot, historically engaged on this issue through its iconic patron (who had taken over the management of the company at the age of 27, in 1805, after the death of her husband) and his prices Business Woman Award since 1972, has addressed this problem. She released her first international benchmark of women entrepreneurs, which will be made public on 11 June, during a day of exchanges around women bold. Zoom in on the situation in France.

A desire

That dream of becoming an entrepreneur ? 28% of women against 39% of men on average. Fortunately, the fairer sex is more voluntary among young people under 30 years of age, with 42 % of interested parties. A score to put into perspective when compared to that of their male counterparts saying that they were tempted by the entrepreneurship at 58 % ! However, motivations are fundamental, and even existential, are not lacking in women who are more likely to want to give meaning to their lives through this adventure (59% vs. 50% among men), and be free by becoming their own boss (63% versus 61%). Essential, but obviously not enough to start.

brakes unsuspected

It would be more risky for a woman to set up her own business. Really ? This idea received tenacious is surprisingly more women than men : 42 % of entrepreneurs believe compared to 32% of contractors. Far from being motivated by fear, lack of self-confidence, the feeling of a lack of legitimacy or the results, it was first maintained, by the reluctance of women to be an additional financial burden for the household in 67% of cases, and to destabilize the life of the family (51%). 71% of them feel the need to do more of their evidence, as men to win, even when they have already taken the plunge. Finally, the prospect of failure deters most women aspiring to entrepreneurship than men, 65% of them. “In the end, they simply have a greater awareness of all the risks associated with entrepreneurship,” said Jean-Marc Gallot, president of the house of Veuve Clicquot.

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Of “role models” to the “role makers”

The barometer shows that women are in need of “role models” and are inspired by entrepreneurs best. 91% of women are dreaming to become entrepreneurs say… except that only 12% of them are able to cite names. “It is necessary to know these figures, as is the case in South Africa, where 47% of women may refer to a woman entrepreneur, and where they are 72% at the head of a micro-enterprise development and 40% leadership of a small business,” said Jean-Marc Gallot in a way uplifting. But this is not all : it should help to overcome the preconceived scheme of entrepreneurship in the male, to which they are 54% to think have to conform to succeed. Result : they sometimes show an authoritarianism that goes wrong. We can show them how to build on their specific expertise : the determination, the audacity and the creativity that define majority of those who succeed. The solution ? The “role makers” (or mentors), in addition to the “role models” who are not enough : 72% of women aspiring to become entrepreneur and 66% of those who have already taken the plunge are in demand of such support. It remains only to better organize this mentoring on a large scale.

(1) – Insee 2018

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Studies and data on women in the economy

company Management : the irreducible glass ceiling inequality between men and women persist among the young professionals, 67% of women entrepreneurs earn less than 1500 €

(2) – Insee 2016