Benefits August 31, 2006

More Than 13 Million Adults Hope to Start Businesses

August 31, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A total of 13.6 million employed, unemployed, or self-employed adults - or 7.8% of the US population - hope to start a new business within the next year, according to a recent opinion poll.
Reported by

According to a press release from E-Myth Worldwide, which sponsored the poll conducted by Synovate, of those 13.6 million 8.5 million are men and 5.1 million are women.

For more stories like this, sign up for the PLANSPONSOR NEWSDash daily newsletter.

The most popular reasons pollsters gave for starting a business, according to the release, are:

  • To make more money, 30%,
  • To be their own boss, 18%, and
  • To fulfill a dream or hobby, 15%.

Respondents said the biggest challenges they face in starting their own business are lack of knowledge and confidence (44%), raising money (44%) and the economic and competitive climates (39%).

The number of people who hope to start a business within the next year was significantly higher for the 45 – 54 age group, who are more seriously considering preparations for retirement.

Synovate polled 1,000 adults aged 18 and up.

«