Italy is the European country with the largest number of companies led by women. According to the Cgia Study Office, also reported by Unioncamere, the Italian entrepreneurs are about 1.4 million, equal to 23% of the total of active companies: a figure that places our country in front of Germany, France and Spain. An encouraging record, which confirms the growth of female entrepreneurship.
But there is also a reverse of the medal: over 3,200 female enterprises close every year, according to data conflavoro female female. The reasons? Structural obstacles such as limited access to credit, difficulty in reconciling work and family life, or having to choose between career and motherhood or care of non -self -sufficient relatives.
The situation in Italy
In Italy female companies are 1.3 million, equal to 22.2% of the total, and occupy 4.7 million people, with an estimated turnover between 200 and 240 billion euros, about 10-12% of the national GDP. The female presence is more marked in sectors traditionally linked to services, such as personal care and professional support activities for businesses, where about six out of ten companies have a woman in command. The contribution in health and social assistance (49%) and education (44%) also relevant. In the manufacturing sector, the share drops around 20%, but with significant tips: 27.9% in the food, over 30% in textiles and leather goods, and 50% in the clothing package.
Italian entrepreneurs are distinguished to be on average younger and more educated than men: many have university titles and a high preparation. Their companies, often of small size and organized as individual companies, however struggle more to survive in the long run. Despite this, they show signs of vitality: in the last ten years female companies under 35 with high intensity of knowledge have grown by +41.3%.
From a territorial point of view, southern Italy focuses about 500 thousand female companies (37% of the total). Lombardy leads the ranking with 182 thousand companies (15%), followed by Lazio (147 thousand; 10.4%) and Campania (137 thousand; 10.1%). In European terms, these regions stand out: Lombardy is first absolute for number of female companies and self -employed workers, while Lazio and Campania are among the top ten.
Despite these encouraging numbers, the presence of young entrepreneurs is decreasing: 48% of female enterprises are led by Over 50, 38% by women between 35 and 49 years old, and only 14% from under 35. As Laura Baldi, president of Conflavoro Company Donna points out:
“Italian entrepreneurs are a fundamental resource for the country, they create value and employment. Conciliare corporate responsibilities with family responsibilities remains a challenge. Many entrepreneurs women must choose between career and motherhood, or between work and closeness to children or non -self -sufficient relatives. Every year this causes the closure of about 3,200 female businesses. There is a strong need for protection and support policies”.
Closing a company is a responsibility, not a failure
“Closing a company is not a defeat: it is a choice of entrepreneurial lucidity. Too many companies remain open for inertia or for lack of courage in making a clear decision. Thus there is a risk of a boomerang that over time can turn into tax, legal and personal damage”
explains Sonia Canal, founder of the business partner network.
“The truth is that closing a society is a responsibility, not a failure: it is like closing a door well so as not to leave spiragli from which winds enter, debts and problems. A closure managed with competence free from ballast and opens new opportunities”.
The vademecum for a “constructive” closure
It is not enough to close the VAT number to turn the page; It is necessary to work for a correct management of tax and accounting obligations to avoid disputes that can emerge years after closing from the business register. The watchwords are clean budget, compliance with legal priorities and tax planning.
- Not postpone
Timeliness avoids additional charges and future critical issues. Check that the cash movements are all documented and check the presence of credits and debts. In addition, it is necessary to communicate the termination of social security positions to stop payments. Acting late or without adequate planning can generate significant economic effects and personal responsibilities. - The financial plan allows you to have a real overview
It is not the turnover that is successful index but the real presence of profits and liquidity, in addition to the possibility of setting aside funds for investments without having to install tax commitments and payments to suppliers. If over the last few years, the activity is not growing and if the expenses exceed profits it is necessary to ask questions and contact a financial consultant. - It is not a defeat
Questioning about what hasn’t worked, what was our responsibility and what is not important. If it is the market that has conditioned our success, we can orient our business towards a different direction, converting our company. If we do not have the strength or if the reasons are different, you have to let go. - Don’t identify with your business
Although the free profession or their business activity are for many an all -round commitment, one’s own creation and the realization of one’s own project, you must not make the mistake of identifying yourself and one’s personal value with a non -winning activity. We are something else, we are able to propose new ideas and to reinvent ourselves in new role, all worthy of respect. - Take some time to reflect
A moment of pause, in which thought is not oriented on what has gone badly and what will be done in the future, it is necessary to encourage rebirth. It is good to take care of yourself, to give yourself pleasant moments, spend time to cure yourself and detach your mind from an obsessive thought. In a context of new serenity, better ideas will arrive. - Focus on the future
Every mistake and every defeat becomes an opportunity to reinvent itself. Problem solving, creativity and resilience if you have a positive attitude will be allied for a new winning professional path.
