The ‘Female Business Owners Index 2025’ report exposes an uncomfortable truth about modern entrepreneurship. While 23% of female business owners have taken on a second job to sustain their ventures, over half (54%) are working longer hours.

The report paints a picture of a challenging year for women-led enterprises, with the most common setbacks including falling consumer spending, affecting 36% of companies, inflation (27%), and political uncertainty (21%).

Yet female entrepreneurs across the UK are displaying remarkable resilience in the face of economic headwinds and 67% expect their revenues to grow over the next year. Nearly a fifth (17%) of female business owners believe their revenue growth could be transformational, predicting a 50-100% increase in the year ahead.

Rather than waiting for economic conditions to improve, female founders are taking bold action now.

Two in five (44%) plan to enter new markets in the next year and 30% will invest in digitisation, both outpacing male business owners' forecasts (33% and 23%, respectively). Meanwhile, over a quarter of women business owners plan to expand their teams in the next year (28%) and a fifth (21%) will invest in upskilling and training.

However, access to finance remains a major hurdle with only 2p in every £1 of UK equity investment going to female-founded businesses. One in three (28%) respondents cited limited access to finance (e.g. loans or investment capital) as a barrier to growth, while 36% are calling for more grants and targeted tax relief to help them scale.

Beyond money, confidence remains a barrier. A quarter of women (25%) entrepreneurs say a lack of self-confidence has held them back, while a further quarter (23%) cite gaps in operational or financial knowledge.

To address these challenges highlighted by the reports, Tide and everywoman have embarked on a year-long high-impact programme aimed at unlocking new opportunities for female founders ready to take their businesses to the next level and providing them with the tools and confidence they need for growth.

At this year’s Tide everywoman Entrepreneur Awards, a £20,000 grant will be awarded to one exceptional female-founded SME, recognising and supporting the next generation of women business leaders with direct funding to accelerate their growth.

George Schmidt, Tide UK/Europe CEO, said: “This report shows the fortitude of women entrepreneurs across the UK – working longer hours, taking on second jobs, yet still pushing for growth.

“At Tide, we’re committed to championing female founders and breaking down the barriers that hold them back. The unwavering optimism we’ve seen in this research is remarkable, and we want to help turn that energy into opportunity. Through our Women in Business programme and partnerships like everywoman, we’re supporting more women to start, scale and thrive.”

Nicole Goodwin, joint Managing Director of AllBright everywoman, said: “Tough times reveal true grit, and female founders have it in abundance. Their ambition and optimism in the face of hardship isn't naive, it's strategic. Women-led businesses are proving themselves as an unstoppable force for growth and innovation across the UK."

Fallon Nelson, founder of inclusive lingerie brand Empress Me Intimates, from London, comments:  “Accessing funding and financial support to scale my business has been one of my biggest challenges as a female founder. Despite having validated concepts and proof of real community need, funding opportunities often feel out of reach. I’m still optimistic about the year ahead and plan to continue growing our community through events, storytelling campaigns and collaborations while still looking to secure funding.”

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