Ali Golds, entrepreneur and advocate for women in business, shares why she believes women have exactly what it takes to build successful companies, and what holds too many back from getting started.

Women entrepreneurs UK account for around 32% of the country’s self-employed workforce, and the number of women-led businesses continues to grow (ONS Labour Force Survey, 2024). Despite starting with around half the capital of male founders (Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, 2019) and all-female founder teams receiving around 2% of UK venture capital investment (British Business Bank, 2022), women-led SMEs still contribute an estimated £85 billion a year to the economy (Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, 2019). Many of the women I work with are aged 50 and over, bringing decades of workplace experience to a new venture. You can find the latest figures on our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.

Working with women founders has changed my life. The women I meet are organised, passionate, resilient and extraordinarily hardworking. They do not wait for permission to solve a problem; they spot a gap, make a plan and get on with it.

Many of the women I have worked with are also mothers. That brings a level of organisation, prioritisation and calm under pressure that translates directly into running a business. Juggling family life, finances and a household teaches you to manage competing demands without losing sight of what matters, a skill every founder needs.

Too many women, especially single mothers, assume they cannot start a business. I am proof that you can. I have founded and run three successful businesses as a single mum, and I could not be prouder of what we can achieve when we back ourselves.

My advice when someone says you cannot

You would be amazed at what you can achieve on your own. Anything in your dreams can be achieved with focus, support and action. I am proof of that.

So what skills do you actually need? There is a widely accepted set of entrepreneurial skills, and when you look at the list, you will notice that most women already use them every day at home, at work and in their communities.

Creativity helps you spot new opportunities

Creativity in business is not about being able to draw or design. It is about letting your mind explore possibilities, spotting opportunities and refusing to rule an idea out before you have tested it. Entrepreneurs need curiosity and the confidence to experiment.

Clear communication represents your brand

Communication is vital in every part of business. You are not only speaking for yourself; you are representing your brand, your values and your offer. Whether you are writing an email, pitching to a customer or posting on social media, clarity counts. Think about what you want the other person to take away, rehearse the important conversations and speak with warmth. It comes across even on a video call or phone call.

Present yourself with authenticity

You are the face of your business, especially at the start. First impressions matter. That does not mean wearing a suit or being someone you are not; it means showing up prepared, professional and authentic. People buy from people they trust.

Focused founders reach their goals

Success rarely happens by accident. You need to know what you are trying to achieve, map out the steps and stay focused when distractions appear. That means setting goals, tracking progress and saying no to opportunities that pull you off course.

Problem solving keeps you moving

If you enjoy solving problems, you will thrive as an entrepreneur. Challenges tend to arrive in clusters, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the big picture. The skill is to break a problem down, identify the root cause and deal with it step by step.

Trust your instincts and judgement

Decision making is not purely logical. In your own business, your instincts, values and emotions all have a role. That is not weakness; it is judgement built from experience. Learn to recognise when your gut is telling you something important.

Build trust with customers and partners

Business is built on relationships. Whether you are dealing with customers, suppliers or collaborators, trust is what keeps people coming back. Be reliable, honest and consistent. It is a life skill and a commercial advantage.

Fear, not ability, is the real barrier

I meet many women who are keen to start a company but feel something is holding them back. Usually it is not a lack of ability or experience. It is fear of getting it wrong, of looking foolish or of failing in public. We plan, re-plan and plan again, waiting for the perfect moment.

But there is no perfect moment. At some point you have to take a chance. Start small, test your idea, learn as you go and build confidence through action. I took a chance and I am now genuinely happy, healthy and running businesses I believe in.

Find practical support for women entrepreneurs UK

If you are ready to take the first step, there is more targeted help available now than ever before. The Start Up Loans Female Founders programme offers government-backed loans alongside free mentoring for women starting a business. The British Business Bank also runs funds and programmes designed to improve access to finance for women-led businesses, and our Business Grants For Women in UK guide lists regional and national schemes that do not need to be repaid.

For peer support, referrals and accountability, the Women in Business Networks UK: The Best Communities to Join in 2026 page lists communities where you can meet other founders at the same stage.

Four action steps to get started

1. Write down the skills you already use daily at home or work. You will probably find you have more entrepreneurial experience than you thought.
2. Identify one small test you can run for your business idea this month, such as a landing page, a survey or a pilot sale.
3. Check your funding options through Start Up Loans, the British Business Bank and local grant schemes before you assume you need personal savings.
4. Join one women-led business network to build connections and reduce the isolation that often slows early-stage founders.

Women entrepreneurs UK already have the skills, judgement and resilience that successful businesses are built on. The gap is rarely ability; it is often confidence, capital and connections. Use the support that exists, start before you feel ready, and trust that the skills you use every day are the same ones that will grow your company.

Ali Golds is an entrepreneur and advocate for women in business. She founded her first company in 2000 and has since launched and managed five successful businesses, including Operation Enterprise and The Juno Project.