82 per cent of men would like to start their own business

Many say access to role models, mentors key to success: BMO

More than four-fifths (82 per cent) of Canadian men would become their own boss if they had the opportunity, according to a study from BMO Bank of Montreal.

And eight in 10 men said having access to role models or mentors would be a key to their success as business owners, found the survey of 1,523 people.

"Small businesses account for almost one-third of Canada's GDP annually and are important sources of job creation and wealth," said Cathy Pin, vice-president of commercial banking at BMO Bank of Montreal. "Many of the newest small and medium-sized businesses are also among the most successful, productive and fastest growing enterprises in Canada. These entrepreneurs, in many cases, are a catalyst for innovation, including critical sources for new business ideas and advancements in product development and service models."

While the food and hospitality sector is the most popular choice for both men and women surveyed, the information technology sector and business and professional services are more commonly preferred by men compared to women, found BMO.

Total

Male

Female

Atlantic

QC

ON

MB/SK

AB

BC

Food, hospitality

14%

12%

17%

15%

18%

14%

11%

14%

13%

Arts, entertainment, recreation

12%

11%

13%

11%

12%

12%

8%

17%

14%

Retail, services

10%

9%

12%

15%

6%

11%

7%

10%

12%

Business, professional

9%

12%

7%

7%

6%

11%

14%

10%

9%

Health, social services

8%

6%

11%

8%

11%

8%

8%

6%

6%

Information technology

7%

13%

3%

5%

8%

8%

6%

6%

10%

Skilled trades, construction

6%

11%

2%

9%

6%

6%

7%

4%

6%

Environmental services

4%

4%

3%

5%

4%

4%

2%

4%

5%

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