Eight in 10 side-hustlers want to become their own boss, survey finds

EIGHT in 10 side hustlers want to become their own boss – so they don’t have to work for anyone else again.

A poll of 1,500 people who have a side hustle or plan on setting one up found 79 per cent would love to work for themselves so they have no one else to answer to.

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Other reasons for wanting to take the leap include having greater financial independence (42 per cent), to help get through the current economic climate (24 per cent) and wanting a better work life balance (34 per cent).

But 29 per cent of employed adults also feel unfulfilled in their current job role.

Gen Zs are the keenest to become self-made, as 60 per cent have plans to quit their job and turn a side hustle into a fully-fledged business.

Compared to older generations, this age group is more likely to reassess their source of income due to the current economy and job market conditions, pushing them to go solo (33 per cent compared to 21 per cent of all adults).

Those aged 18 to 27 are also more than twice as likely (27 per cent compared to 12 per cent of all adults) to turn to social media influencers for advice when starting a new business.

Elyn Corfield, CEO at Lloyds Bank – Business & Commercial Banking, said: “The UK is recognised as a hub for entrepreneurship and game-changing businesses.

“Our research shows that a new generation are following their dreams to turn their passion into a livelihood.

“Innovators are forging their own path which is really inspirational to see.

“Freeing your inner entrepreneur can be exciting and scary but we’re here to support businesses start up and scale up, as many take the leap this year.

The study also found shows like Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice are inspiring more than one in 10 (12 per cent) Gen Zs to go it alone.

And others are led by their aspirational attitude, as 19 per cent would be willing to take the leap after having a vivid dream their business would be a success.

Gen Z are also twice as likely than other generations to start a business if a celebrity or influencer spontaneously endorsed their product or idea on social media (14 per cent versus seven per cent).

It also emerged the beginning of the year is primetime to start a fresh, with 27 per cent likely to consider setting up a business in January or February – more than any other time of year.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found 68 per cent of all those polled feel confident in their ability to start up a business.

Despite this, the most common concern is not being able to afford the start-up costs (33 per cent), as well as not being sure about the kind of support or resources they’d need or where to find them (23 per cent).

As a result, 35 per cent will turn to online forums to seek help, with friends (29 per cent) and family (26 per cent) also among the go-to for support.

Professor of Organisational Psychology at Alliance Manchester Business School, Sir Cary Cooper, said: “These are exciting results which bode well for the UK and it is encouraging to see young entrepreneurs wanting to start businesses so early in their careers.

“In the past we tended to see more mid-career employees, fed up with corporate life, look for an escape and attempt to gain control over their life.

“Now, we’re seeing Gen Z entrepreneurs not only wanting financial independence, but also striving for better work-life balance and having a sense of purpose by doing something they’re passionate about.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk