Tanja Lenke is the founder of she-preneur, a business training platform and community for female entrepreneurs and self-employed women. We talk to her about what it means to become self-employed and why fewer women than men still choose to start their own businesses. In another interview, we discuss who finds work in self-employment particularly fulfilling.
Ms. Lenke, you founded she-preneur. What is this business community all about?
I founded she-preneur in 2016. It was meant to be a network for women who are already self-employed or planning to become so. Back then, there were no online communities, which was something I personally missed. When I became self-employed in 2013, I wished I had others to exchange ideas with. I lacked a good boss or mentor and had no one to whom I could direct my questions. That’s how the idea came about to create a platform where self-employed women could connect and support one another.
We often hear that women like to find meaning in their work. Is this your experience as well? And don’t men also want this?
This is indeed something we’ve observed, and various studies also highlight it: women want to see meaning in their work. Men might want this too, but it’s generally less pronounced compared to women. For men, power and money tend to play a larger role. Sometimes, men even want to join our network, and we’re noticing that the trend toward “purposeful” work is increasingly appealing to men as well.
So why do fewer women than men become self-employed?
Many women lack entrepreneurial knowledge: How do I earn money? How can I earn a lot of money? Selling is a key part of self-employment because every entrepreneur has to sell their services. To succeed, you need not only the necessary business knowledge but also the ability to sell yourself and your products or services. Although fewer women than men still start their own businesses, we’re seeing that more women are becoming self-employed today than in the past.
What is driving this trend?
For many women, themes like finding purpose, self-realization, and flexibility play a significant role. Of course, women want to generate income with their businesses, but they also want to remain flexible, for instance, to balance family, work, and other responsibilities. Working from 9 to 5 is often challenging for women given their family obligations.
Does financial independence also play a role?
Yes, but in Germany, many women tend to prioritize security. This makes it harder for them to venture into entrepreneurship since it inherently involves risks. In the U.S., the mindset is different; entrepreneurial failure is more accepted there.
Flexibility in work—this term comes up repeatedly. Why is it more often associated with women than with men?
It’s linked to traditional gender roles. Even today, women primarily take on household duties and caregiving responsibilities. Many structure their work around these roles, often working part-time for greater flexibility. However, this also results in earning less money.
Do women start businesses out of desperation rather than intrinsic motivation? And what does this mean for the success of startups?
Self-employment is a field where one can earn money relatively easily. Since women also need income, some might start businesses out of necessity. But many women don’t just ask how they can juggle everything—they also wonder how to bring more meaning into their lives. Many have innovative ideas that drive them forward. This is essential for staying motivated, as setbacks are inevitable.
What is going wrong in companies that leads so many people to leave and start their own businesses? Is there something many leaders fail to see?
This stems from outdated, often very traditional corporate cultures. Many leaders believe employees won’t work effectively if given too much flexibility, preferring to maintain control. Yet, there are so many remote jobs! I started hosting Zoom meetings in 2016, long before the pandemic. Back then, people found it odd, but now it’s entirely normal. Many people work remotely and fully digitally today, but this requires different leadership. For example, it’s crucial to ensure that employees align with the company’s values. Employees often become dissatisfied when they don’t understand the company’s values. Many companies also fail to show appreciation for their employees, treating them merely as a factor of production. This approach no longer works today.
Thank you for your insights! Until next time for the next interview!
Through she-preneur, Tanja Lenke not only helps women think bigger and achieve their visions but also provides self-employed women with a community to connect and support one another. Founded in 2016, she-preneur now boasts over 20,000 members, according to Lenke. For more information about she-preneur, click Here ..
Anke Dembowski is a financial journalist and author of various investment fund-related and other financial books. She is also a co-founder of the "Fondsfrauen" network.