Top 20 role models for today's female entrepreneurs

Celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Katie Price along with supermodel, Elle Macpherson, have featured on a new list of the most inspiring celebrity entrepreneurs. The late Anita Roddick and JK Rowling topped the recent poll, closely followed by Margaret Thatcher, Jacqueline Gold of Ann Summers fame and Martha Lane Fox.

The research, by everywoman, asked successful female entrepreneurs about role models and influences for women who want to run their own business. Over 1,000 business women overseeing an average turnover of £1.3m took part in the survey.

The research explores the motivating factors for female entrepreneurs and whilst flexibility, work-life balance and being one’s own boss were all cited, 86% of participants agreed that celebrity entrepreneurs play a positive role in encouraging women to set up businesses.

According to the everywoman research, the top 10 reasons for venturing it alone are:

1. Wanting to be my own boss – 58%
2. To have more flexibility – 57%
3. Achieve a better work-life balance – 46%
4. To give a sense of self worth – 37%
5. To prove I could do it – 36%
6. Lack of job satisfaction – 35%
7. To escape corporate life – 34%
8. Timing was right – 33%
9. Financial security – 23%
10. Make a different to others – 23%

The under 25s were three times more likely to be influenced by celebrity entrepreneurs over traditional role models (38% v 11%) demonstrating that their influence is shaping the next generation of business owners.

It seems the rise of the female celebrity entrepreneur is a welcome phenomenon, playing a vital role in encouraging more women to run their own business. Whilst 76% of women agreed that celebrity entrepreneurs make the idea of starting out in business more accessible, 70% still believe that there remains a lack of inspiring role models for women in business.

Top 20 Female Entrepreneurial Role Models

1. JK Rowling – author
2. Anita Roddick – founder of The Body Shop
3. Margaret Thatcher – first female Prime Minister
4. Jacqueline Gold – CEO Ann Summers
5. Martha Lane Fox – co-founder of lastminute.com
6. Karren Brady – managing director of Birmingham City Football Club (youngest MD of UK plc)
7. Delia Smith – cook, author, broadcaster,
8. Michelle Mone – founder of Ultimo lingerie
9. Nicola Horlick – founder of Bramdean Asset Management
10. Dame Stella Rimington – first female director of MI5
11. Katie Price (aka Jordan) – model, author and business woman
12. Deborah Meaden – Dragon’s Den panelist and business investor
13. Chrissie Rucker – founder of The White Company
14. Stella McCartney – fashion designer
15. Tamara Mellon – founder of Jimmy Choo shoes
16. Clara Furse – first female CEO, London Stock Exchange
17. Victoria Beckham – performing artist, author and designer
18. Elle Macpherson – model and business woman
19. Kelly Hoppen – interior designer
20. Rebekah Wade – editor of The Sun