Having it all - is it a myth?

"Time and time again our societies pedal the myth that entrepreneurship is the panacea for work/life imbalance, and the secret to unlocking that much desired career goal of flexibility over one’s work," say authors of new research into the reasons women exit entrepreneurial businesses.  

"This year, New Zealand saw the highest rate of business closures since 2015, with 10,662 companies removed from the Company’s Office quarterly register. During the second quarter of 2024, company removals increased by 2,786 (a 35.6% increase) compared to the same period last year. But the closures have not been felt equally. Female entrepreneurs have been particularly hard hit," reports Janine Swail, Senior lecturer in the Department of Management and International Business, University of Auckland, who partnered with Professor of Entrepreneurship Susan Marlow, on research published in The Conversation in late August. 

"Policies and media should stop presenting self-employment as a cost-free solution for women. At times, it is a poor career choice, particularly when talented women could potentially be adding economic and social value in organisations with family-inclusive practices and policies that can support them."

As well as the 'having it all' paradox, the pair debunked another myth in their research paper ‘Involuntary exit for personal reasons’ – A gendered critique of the business exit decision'. They claim, "the evidence indicates the universal 'more (startups) is better' thesis is the wrong approach."

Entering a franchise network can help provide that valuable support, enabling people of any gender to better balance family and personal commitments. 

See more stories of women striking a successful balance in franchising in our latest print and digital issue. 

Read the full article, 'Having it all is a myth: family and personal commitments are pushing women out of their own businesses' published by The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence, here.