At Angel Accounting, we’re passionate about supporting ambitious business owners at every stage of their journey. So when HSBC UK released their recent report, Fearless and Thriving: How Midlife Female Entrepreneurs Are Changing the Game, we couldn’t wait to dive in. The findings resonate with many of the stories we hear from our clients, particularly women building businesses in midlife, often with creativity, grit, and a determination to do things on their own terms.
We wanted to share our thoughts on the report, and why it matters for you, whether you’re just starting out or scaling up.
A Powerful Economic Force
The report highlights a remarkable statistic: if women in the UK started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men, the UK economy could benefit by up to £250 billion. That’s not just a number, it’s a call to action. The experience, ambition, and untapped potential of midlife female entrepreneurs represent an economic force that’s too important to overlook.
Still Chasing Capital
Despite their drive and innovation, women, especially those over 45, face persistent barriers in accessing funding. The vast majority self-fund, use personal savings, or rely on loans and remortgages. Only a tiny fraction secure bank loans or venture capital. This means many are building profitable businesses but remain constrained by lack of external support. As accountants, we know this often translates to cautious growth and personal risk.
We’d love to see a future where women aren’t forced to choose between scaling and maintaining control. We help our clients explore all funding options, understand the impact of equity versus debt, and make decisions that align with their vision and values.
Growth Ambitions, and Real Challenges
Nearly half of the women surveyed want to scale their existing businesses, while a quarter are content as they are. Importantly, 73% pay themselves from their business, with around 20% drawing a salary above £50,000 per year. This suggests strong financial performance, even in the face of adversity.
But the challenges aren’t just about numbers. Many midlife entrepreneurs struggle with “imposter syndrome,” isolation, and the need for peer support and mentorship. Running a business at this stage often means balancing family, caring responsibilities, and personal wellbeing.
What Stands Out for Accountants?
As accountants and advisors, here’s what caught our eye:
- Cashflow discipline: Bootstrapping and self-funding demand rigorous financial planning and conservative cashflow management.
- Founder remuneration: Drawing a sustainable salary is a positive sign, but founders need to plan for the long term, think pension planning, exit strategy, and personal asset protection.
- Equity trade-offs: Women are more likely to give up control for less capital. We help our clients weigh the real cost of raising equity and maintaining autonomy.
- Risk and resilience: Personal risk exposure is high; smart business structuring can help protect what you’ve built.
How We Help
At Angel Accounting, we see ourselves as partners on your journey. We’re here to:
- Demystify funding: Exploring grants, loans, and investment, and preparing you for what investors look for.
- Provide advisory support: From scenario planning and forecasting, to helping you build a network of trusted peers and mentors.
- Help you grow on your own terms: Whether you want to scale, sustain, or pivot, we’ll support your ambitions with practical, jargon-free advice.
Want to Read the Full Report?
We highly recommend reading the full HSBC UK report. It’s packed with honest stories and practical data that will inspire and inform.
