Dear HR Managers and Business Owners,

Women entrepreneurs are one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian economy and represent a growing economic force.

Today, 4 out of 5 businesses are started by women. About 40 per cent of small businesses in Canada are now at least 50% owned by women.

The average age of woman business owners is 45. Almost 80 per cent are married and over half have children. At least two-thirds of self-employed women start their own businesses, while one-third buy existing companies. Over 80 per cent of Canadian SMEs owned by women are service industries, compared with 59 per cent owned by men.

As this trend continues in BC, employers may find it increasingly challenging to fill positions in their organizations as some of BC's brightest pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions.

Cheers,