Kauffman Index 2015: A Multilayered Portrait of Entrepreneurship in America

The numbers in the new 2015 Kauffman Index reveal a multilayered portrait of entrepreneurship in America right now.  Here are five of the trends.

1. Opportunity versus necessity
2. Startup density
3. Still a man's world?
4. Race, ethnicity, and immigration
5. Age matters, and so does education, but not the way you think

In the case of Still a Man's World, the trend is not so positive for women:

The preponderance (63.2%) of newly minted entrepreneurs were men, while only 36.8% of women started their own venture in the most recent year. The number of female entrepreneurs is close to the 20-year low of 36.3% from the 2008 Index. For comparison, there was more equity between genders in 1996 than there is now.

• Men: 1996 56.3%, 2014: 63.2%
• Women: 1996:43.7%, 2014: 36.8%

Learn more:  The State of the American Entrepreneur in 2015

What Used to be a Man's World on Business Ownership Is Long Gone

Twenty-eight years ago Pam Sullivan wanted to launch her own marketing company in Boston but ran up against one serious problem:  As a female sole proprietor, she couldn't secure a loan. With help from the Small Business Development Center, she put together a business plan and secured the money that helped launch a new career.

Fast-forward to now where that sort of problem is a lot rarer.

According to a new report, "2015 State of Women-Owned Businesses," commissioned by American Express OPEN, nationally, the number of women-owned businesses has increased 74 percent since 1997.  Sales figures for women-owned businesses in New Hampshire where Sullivan is based now reached nearly $8 billion, more than double the total in 1997.

One of the key statements made in the article is this:

“What I’d attribute the growth to is there are quite a large amount of resources, things like the Small Business Association, groups that are very willing to extend their help,” she [Tonya Rochette, vice president and partner at Human Resource Partners, which has offices in Concord and Dover] said. “And perhaps more women are willing to ask and accept the help.”

Read the entire article here.

Most-Coveted Role Among A-List Actresses? Business Owner.

There's Jessica Alba with The Honest Company and Kate Hudson with Fabletics.  Now Oscar winner Halle Berry is one of the latest female celebrities to start a business. She launched Scandale Paris last year, a line of lingerie sold at Target stores.

For decades, famous faces have been hired by big corporations to sell hair dye, lipstick and high-end fashion. But now, more female celebrities are taking control and starting their own businesses. It’s also helping some balance career and motherhood.

Read more:  More celebrity women taking on role of business owner

Screenshot courtesy:  Scandale Paris

Watch These Videos to Become a Better Entrepreneur

The Kauffman Foundation has released a series of six videos on success strategies for women entrepreneurs. The videos are part of Kauffman FastTrac, which helps educate aspiring entrepreneurs and provide them with the resources and community they need to grow their business.

Find the videos on finance, legal, negotiating, marketing, [what? no global expansion video?], social media and managing work-life balance here.

Screenshot courtesy:  Kauffman Foundation

SBA Encourages Women to Win Federal Contracts

The Small Business Administration said it is implementing a law that gives women more opportunities to win federal contracts.  U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (pictured) says she is glad the agency has moved quickly to implement her legislation aimed at encouraging women-owned small businesses.

Shaheen says removing barriers to federal contracts will encourage more women to start their own small businesses, generating economic growth in New Hampshire and across the country.

Learn more.

Screenshot courtesy:  Jeanne Shaheen - United States Senator for New Hampshire