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Are You an Alterpreneur?
If the main priority of running your
business is improving your lifestyle, then
you could be one of the UK’s growing numbers
of Alterpreneurs; business owner/managers
who have left a nine-to-five career for an
alternative lifestyle.
A new survey by insurance company More Than
has shown that 98% of Alterpreneurs rate
financial stability and regular income
 as
less important factors in their business
than spare time and spending time with
family and friends.
The survey also shows that men and women
alterpreneurs think similarly, with almost
identical levels of concern about spending
time with family and friends; losing holiday
time; and losing spare time, the three
biggest concerns of most alterpreneurs.
Rachel Cotton, Manager of More Than
Business, said: “Once again, our research
into this largely misunderstood group of
businesspeople has shown their attitudes and
behaviour flying in the face of conventional
wisdom; their primary concerns aren’t
financial gain or loss – at start-up or as
the business grows, but improved lifestyle
and greater control are paramount.”
Richard Wilson, Head of Business Policy at
the Institute of Directors, commented:
"Lifestyle businesses make a crucial
contribution to UK society and to the
economy. They represent approximately half
of the country's business population and
they employ over three million people. Above
all, they provide an example of individuals
taking personal responsibility for their own
employment and lifestyle goals. The fact
that they can achieve these objectives
without incurring significant financial
risks should encourage more people to set up
similar enterprises."
It is good that organisations are starting
to recognise that not all small businesses
are alike; and that while all business
owners enjoy making good profits, that is
not always the most important factor of
business. This realisation will hopefully
help encourage fairer treatment and better
recognition of small businesses from both
larger businesses and government in the
future.
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