A THIRD of SME owners in the north have had a health scare since starting their business, new figures show.
Research from Ultimate Finance has revealed that as many as 39,300 business owners have been affected by a health scare, while two thirds of business owners and managers in Northern Ireland worry their current work and life balance is having a negative impact on their health.
The new data, which explores the pressure SMEs are under, also shows that 44 per cent have found it hard to eat healthily since starting a business, while almost a quarter (22 per cent) struggle to maintain an exercise regime. A striking 78 per cent of respondents said they worry about the future and their health due to their work habits.
Chief operating officer at Ultimate Finance, Steve Noble said the figures were shocking.
“While it is common knowledge that running your own business is stressful, we were shocked it has triggered health scares in so many entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland. It can be isolating spearheading a business, particularly in uncertain economic and political times and clearly the strain is taking its toll in terms of personal health and wellbeing. Many Northern Irish SME owners are simply not finding the time to eat well or exercise."
“When you consider that 118,000 Northern Irish businesses are SMEs, we could be heading towards a bit of a crisis. We need to start talking seriously about the importance of prioritising physical health, not just for the sake of entrepreneurs’ personal health but to ensure the long-term success of their business," he said.
Business psychologist Robert Stewart said that business owners must address their own personal needs as well as the needs of the business and their employees.
"At the start of a new year, I would urge the Northern Ireland’s SME community to take this research seriously and establish their own process for looking after themselves."
The independent survey, carried out by 3Gem on behalf of SME funding partner Ultimate Finance, questioned hundreds of managing directors, across a range of sectors, about the impact that running their business was having on their lives.
