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Almost half of UK smaller business leaders feel isolated running their business

Press release 05 December 2025

  • Feelings of loneliness higher among microbusiness owners
  • Nearly two thirds of business owners feel the constant mental load of being responsible for their business success
  • However, three quarters say running their business has made them more resilient, and value the responsibility, even when it feels isolating
  • Christmas could heighten feelings of isolation as business owners see friends enjoying Christmas work events and taking paid annual leave

As many employed workers start to slow down for Christmas and meet up with friends and attend work Christmas events, a new YouGov survey has found that nearly half (44%) of smaller business owners in the UK say they have felt lonely or isolated while running their business. The research was carried out by YouGov on behalf of The Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank.

The issue of loneliness is particularly pertinent among microbusiness 1  owners, who often work entirely alone, with 56% saying they have felt isolated while running their business. By contrast, rates are significantly lower among leaders of medium-sized 2  (37%) and small 3  (38%) businesses.

The good news for entrepreneurs is that loneliness and feelings of isolation also appear to ease with time and experience. While nearly two thirds (65%) of business owners trading for less than a year report feeling lonely, the percentage drops considerably for those whose businesses have been running for 10 to 15 years (31%), and more than 20 years (40%).

The emotional toll of running a business

However, the findings also point to the weight of responsibility that many entrepreneurs carry during their business ownership journey. Nearly two thirds (64%) feel the constant mental load of being responsible for their business success and over half (55%) wish they had someone they could turn to for support.

More than half (51%) of business owners struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance and 37% sometimes wish they were in less senior roles due to the loneliness that comes with leadership.

Business owners who have experienced loneliness and overcome it, are Tilly and Chris Newman, both 40, from Portsmouth. Their business, ScanNeo, is an AI powered camera that can be used, for example where there is fly tipping or illegal parking. They have built the company from home, working closely together, which has brought up challenges with loneliness.

Tilly Newman, co-founder of ScanNeo said:

When my husband and I first started our business, we did everything on our own, and making every decision entirely independently without anyone to bounce ideas off, or share the small wins with. Working from our garage at home, it’s understandable that often our business journey has been incredibly lonely. However, making connections through networks and communities helped us see that we’re not alone in these feelings and that it’s a very real and normal part of being a business owner. It’s been such a rewarding business journey and I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved since overcoming the initial battles.

With our Start Up Loan, we purchased a ticket to a conference in order to primarily drum up new business, but also meet like-minded people who we could learn from. We managed to do both, which was a success, and as a result we’ve even just been able to book our Christmas party in a shared space with other business owners.

The practical ways business owners seek relief

Despite the challenges, the findings show that many entrepreneurs, like Tilly and Chris, develop strong support networks and strategies to grow their networks, counteracting the impact of working alone. The data shows that business owners actively take the following steps:

  • 56% spend time with family or friends outside work
  • 51% focus on personal wellbeing, such as exercise and hobbies
  • 43% take breaks to reset
  • 38% connect with other business leaders
  • 34% join networks or professional associations

The upside of going it alone

The research also highlights the positive skills and personal development gained along the way. Nearly three quarters (74%) of business owners say running their business has made them more resilient; the same percentage (74%) say they value the responsibility that comes with leadership, even when it feels isolating.

A further 72% report having made new friendships and connections through their business journey; 67% feel motivated by proving to themselves that they can manage challenges independently; and 59% feel more connected when they know they share the same experiences as other leaders.

Louise McCoy, Managing Director of Start Up Loans Products, said:

Running your own business is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but it can also mean spending a lot of time working on your own and doing something very different to most friends and family. As our research reveals, this can often have a hidden emotional cost that often goes unseen.

Unsurprisingly, the first year of starting a business in particular can be isolating and that’s where mentoring and having a wider support network is so important. Yet, while loneliness is common, the findings also highlight a powerful story of resilience, growth and connection among UK entrepreneurs.

At Start Up Loans, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs not just financially, but by helping them find the networks and confidence they need to thrive, be that through business mentoring or in-person events.

The findings highlight the importance of community and mentorship in supporting UK entrepreneurs. Start Up Loans provides fixed-interest loans of up to £25,000, as well as mentoring and guidance, to help entrepreneurs navigate the personal and professional challenges of starting a business.

For more information please visit: startuploans.co.uk

Further Information

If you are a journalist and have a media enquiry, please contact mediaenquiries@british-business-bank.co.uk.

Notes to editors

The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate per annum and offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business.

The primary aim of the Start Up Loans programme is to ensure that viable start-ups and early-stage businesses have access to the finance and support they need in order to thrive. A network of Business Support Partner organisations supports applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK. The Start Up Loans programme is not designed to generate a commercial profit. Capital payments together with the interest are recycled to help meet increasing demands for finance.

Free guides on a range of subjects related to starting a business and recent media press releases are available on the Start Up Loans website.

The funding for the Start Up Loans programme is provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The Start Up Loans programme is operated by The Start-Up Loans Company, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08117656, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ. The Start-Up Loans Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc which is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. With the exception of BBB Investment Services Limited they are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority. BBB Investment Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A complete legal structure chart for the group can be found at british-business-bank.co.uk.

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