SA Women's business aspirations report released

Keen to understand the state of play for South Australian women, the Premier’s Council for Women (PCW) undertook a survey of South Australian women business owners and those aspiring to own businesses. The aim of the survey was to inform the work of PCW and determine where to focus their efforts to best support South Australian women’s participation in business, and, ultimately, women’s economic wellbeing.

The survey was available through the South Australian Government’s YourSAy digital engagement website from 9 May 2022. It was open for nine weeks, in which time 180 responses were received.

• The overwhelming majority of respondents (67 percent) stated their start-up funding came from personal savings.
• The top three most important things when they started their business: to increase awareness of my brand/product/business; help finding a customer base; an understanding of business basics.
• The top three barriers women business owners are currently experiencing are: lack of capital; time commitment to caring responsibilities; COVID-19.
• We asked respondents what their top three reasons were for starting, or wanting to start, their own business: I wanted to be my own boss (74 percent); I had an idea / I found a gap in the market (71 percent); I wanted flexibility (66 percent).

Based on the full report provided on YourSAy, the Premier’s Council for Women has developed 11 recommendations. These recommendations will be provided as advice to the SA Government on actions that could be taken to foster and support the entrepreneurial spirit, creative drive, and resilience of South Australian women in business.

We would like to sincerely thank all those who responded, for your generosity and courage to share your insights and experiences with the Premier’s Council for Women.