The ambivalence of female foundership

If you're a fellow female founder, who has nurtured the kernel of an idea into reality - be it a solo business, non-profit or startup - you will relate to the full spectrum of experience that this elicits.

At key junctures in my (albeit) eclectic career, I set up a PR agency division, became a comms consultant, co-founded a mental health charity and co-developed a thriving national partnership alongside some amazing women.

Some of it was joyous and fulfilling beyond measure, and other parts were exhausting, scary and lonely at times.

We rarely talk about the ambivalence of being a female founder or solo entrepreneur and how it's also an area of financial inequity, (insane) juggling, immense freedom and, as you've seen, baffling paradox.

Sustainability Times reported that female entrepreneurs are significantly less financially backed than male entrepreneurs during early funding and in Britain, less that 3% of VC funding went to female founded startups in 2023.

A study released in May 2025 reported in Startups Magazine explored the psychological reality behind female entrepreneurship, showing both the hidden toll and great resilience strategies of women successfully building businesses in the UK.

‘The True Cost of Female Entrepreneurship,’ authored by Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins, combines rigorous qualitative interviews with extensive survey data from nearly 250 startup to scale-up female founders. This revealed the anxiety-inducing nature of female foundership, with nearly half (48%) citing cash flow as a major stressor.

It also identified the 'midlife revelation' (the second shift), showing 75% of female entrepreneurs are aged 35-54. This places these women firmly into the 'sandwich generation' balancing work with caring responsibilities for both children/teenagers and older relatives.

66% of female founders in this study expressed that they experienced extreme loneliness and, while 83% reported high stress levels, paradoxically 97% enjoy their entrepreneurial journey and 66% reported high life satisfaction.

Therein lies the contradiction.

Research from Small Business Britain, in partnership with Starling Bank found 80% of female entrepreneurs feel more confident in their abilities after launching their business.

It is a domain of unresolved paradox, and we could do more to support each other as we navigate this complex terrain.

That's why Ruth Jackson and I have collaborated to create Grow Together - a supportive, online coaching programme for female founders and solo entrepreneurs, which is a series of seven group sessions (capped to create a trusted environment), a 1-1 coaching session, access to shared resources and an in-person meet up.

We have drawn on all the learning throughout our collective career trajectories in the corporate world, as purposeful founders of charities, a national partnership and latterly as transformational coaches.

We're drawing on the theme of nature to mirror the ebb and flow of growing and sustaining a business or venture, creating space for reflection, shared learning and valuable practical guidance - the kind that comes from collaboration and generous leadership.

This is due to go live on Wednesday 12th November, so do get in touch for more information and an overview of the programme.