How Many Hours a Week Do Entrepreneurs Work? (Surprising Statistics & Smarter Strategies)

Entrepreneurship comes with freedom, but it also comes with hustle. Many dream of being their own boss, but when reality sets in, a question arises: “How many hours a week do entrepreneurs work?”

The answer isn’t simple — it depends on the stage of the business, the industry, and personal productivity habits. Studies show entrepreneurs often work 50–70+ hours per week, especially in the startup phase.

But here’s the good news: with smart systems like Barawave ERP, entrepreneurs can cut down on wasted hours by automating operations, tracking finances, and scaling efficiently.

Whether you run a manufacturing company, a real estate business, a solar startup, a cleaning service, a restaurant, or a plumbing business, Barawave ERP gives you tools to balance work and growth.

Introduction: The Myth vs. Reality of Entrepreneur Work Hours

Many imagine entrepreneurship as working a few hours from a beach with a laptop. The truth? Most entrepreneurs work longer than employees, especially in the early years.

📊 According to a Gartner survey, over 60% of small business owners work more than 50 hours per week, while 20% exceed 70 hours.

However, the smartest entrepreneurs focus not just on how many hours they work, but on how effectively they spend those hours.

That’s where Barawave ERP comes in — helping businesses work smarter, not just harder.

Factors That Influence Entrepreneur Work Hours

1. Stage of the Business

Startup phase: Founders often work 60–80 hours/week.
Growth phase: Hours stabilize to 50–60.
Mature phase: With systems in place, some work less than 40 hours.

2. Industry Type

Restaurants & hospitality: Longest hours due to service demands.
Manufacturing: Requires consistent operational oversight.
Real estate: Hours fluctuate based on deals and client availability.
Service industries (cleaning, plumbing): Often workload-driven, with peak busy periods.

✅ Barawave ERP provides industry-specific ERP solutions to streamline work for each sector.

3. Personal Productivity & Delegation

Entrepreneurs who delegate effectively and use automation work fewer hours.

📌 Without ERP tools, entrepreneurs waste 30–40% of time on repetitive tasks.

Average Entrepreneur Work Hours by Statistics

Business Stage	Average Hours/Week	Notes
Startup Phase	60–80 hours	Heavy workload, building momentum
Growth Phase	50–60 hours	Delegation begins
Established	35–45 hours	Systems & staff reduce workload

📊 Source: Forbes & McKinsey reports on entrepreneurship trends.

Why Entrepreneurs Work Longer Hours

Wearing multiple hats (CEO, marketer, accountant).
Lack of proper systems or automation.
Pressure to succeed quickly.
Unclear work-life boundaries.

💡 Solution: Automate with Barawave ERP, which reduces manual tasks and allows entrepreneurs to focus on growth instead of busywork.

How Barawave ERP Reduces Work Hours for Entrepreneurs

Barawave ERP helps entrepreneurs:

Automate financial management.
Manage operations & projects in one place.
Gain real-time analytics to make faster decisions.
Scale without adding more hours to their week.

Industry-specific solutions:

👉 Register today: Barawave Dashboard.

Work-Life Balance Tips for Entrepreneurs

Set boundaries: Define work hours.
Delegate tasks: Don’t try to do everything.
Automate operations: Use ERP for repetitive work.
Take breaks: Recharge to avoid burnout.
Track hours: Use apps like Toggl to monitor time.

✅ With Barawave ERP, entrepreneurs save 10–15 hours weekly by cutting out inefficiencies.

FAQs: How Many Hours a Week Do Entrepreneurs Work?

Q1. Do entrepreneurs work more hours than employees?
Yes, most work 50–70+ hours per week, especially in the early stages.

Q2. Can entrepreneurs work fewer than 40 hours a week?
Yes, once the business is established with strong systems and staff.

Q3. What industries have the longest work hours?
Hospitality, restaurants, and manufacturing typically require longer hours.

Q4. How does Barawave ERP help reduce work hours?
By automating operations, tracking finances, and streamlining workflows.

Q5. How many hours should I expect to work in the first year of business?
Most new entrepreneurs work 60–80 hours weekly in year one.

Q6. Where can I register for Barawave ERP?
Directly at https://barawave.com/dashboard/register.

Conclusion: Working Smarter with Barawave ERP

So, how many hours a week do entrepreneurs work? The reality is often longer than employees, especially in the beginning. But the smartest entrepreneurs don’t measure success by hours worked — they measure it by results achieved.

With Barawave ERP, entrepreneurs can cut wasted hours, automate tasks, and scale their businesses efficiently — working smarter, not harder.

👉 Take the leap today: Barawave.com | Register Here.