WOMEN entrepreneurs were playing an important role in the franchising business and headed more than 20% of all franchised business operations in SA, Marius Rautenbach, head of franchising at , said this week.
South African women found the prospects of franchising appealing as it offered a higher probability of success than starting a new business from scratch, Rautenbach said.
Franchising offered a strong framework based on a demonstrated business model and concept, he said. “Franchisees have access to the knowledge, experience and mentoring of the franchisor, who is also able to provide operational assistance.
“It is these factors that provide a level of comfort for the budding woman entrepreneur.”
Rautenbach quoted from research in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) to illustrate why women found franchising appealing, and why they made such successful franchisees. The GEM research revealed that women ran efficient and sustainable businesses.
However, the start-up phase presented the most challenges, with women generally feeling intimidated and suffering from low confidence levels and fear of failure.
Rautenbach said it was precisely these constraints that prompted women to explore franchising as a viable small-business option.
Bendeta Gordon, of Franchize Directions, said female entrepreneurs often emerged from the ranks of women who had left the corporate environment and were juggling family demands with personal ambitions.
“Women dominate in the health, beauty and body culture sector, with a 74,4% market share,” said Gordon. “They have a very strong representation in education and training (55,6%), account for 34% of business-to-business franchisees, 32% of the personal services, and 28% of the entertainment and leisure franchise market is women-owned,” she said.
chilwanel@bdfm.co.za