A Study on the Major Problems of U.S. Women-Owned Small Businesses

Abstract

This paper investigates the types of problems women-owned businesses face and the relative significance of these problems. The 800 U.S. women business owners were drawn at random from the membership directory of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). This paper analyzed the differences of major problems across each growth stage (that is, start-up, early growth, later growth and maturity) and in terms of the type of entrepreneur (that is, general/opportunistic or technical/craftsman) in U.S. women-owned businesses. The findings indicated there were significant differences in the problems faced by women-owned businesses who were in various growth stages of their business life (start up to the maturity stage). Finally, significant differences were found by entrepreneur type (technical/craftsman or general/opportunistic) within these women-owned businesses.