Like many women, having the flexibility to organise my career around other commitments became increasingly important once I became a Mum. Most of us want better flexibility, irrespective of gender or whether or not we are a parent, with work-life balance recently becoming the primary motivator for Kiwi job seekers when considering a new job or career.
That illusive flexibility can be difficult to secure however and is a major reason why so many time-strapped women opt out of the workforce, choosing instead to combine running a business with looking after their children. According to a 2013 MYOB survey around 40% of Kiwi self-employed small businesses are owned by women. Many of these women created their business to spend more time with their children, to save on childcare and achieve a better work-life balance.