Nearly half of Gen Z Canadians who own businesses are running a side hustle while working a full-time job, according to a new RBC poll that found younger entrepreneurs are taking a more flexible approach to business ownership.
The 2026 RBC Small Business Poll found 46 per cent of Gen Z business owners operate a side hustle alongside their primary job, while 32 per cent of Gen Z Canadians surveyed aspire to start one. Two-thirds, or 66 per cent, said they have considered owning a business, the highest proportion among the generations surveyed.
The findings suggest business ownership is increasingly being pursued alongside traditional employment rather than as an immediate replacement for it. Among current Gen Z business owners, 84 per cent said they are optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship in Canada, compared with 76 per cent of business owners overall.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Canada's economy, and the next generation of entrepreneurs will help shape its future,” said Amy Childs, Vice President, Small Business and Partnerships, RBC. “Gen Z is showing that business ownership doesn't have to follow a traditional path, with success increasingly defined by flexibility, financial stability and independence.”
Financial stability a priority
The poll found Gen Z Canadians place greater emphasis on financial stability and personal goals when defining entrepreneurial success than on conventional measures of business expansion.
Forty-two per cent said success means being able to support themselves or their family, while 35 per cent identified building long-term wealth as their definition of success. About three in 10 cited being their own boss, at 33 per cent, or turning a passion into income, at 31 per cent.
By comparison, 27 per cent of Gen Z Canadians said seeing their business grow and scale defines success, while 22 per cent pointed to creating something meaningful or long-lasting. Among Gen Z Canadians who aspire to own a business, 27 per cent said entrepreneurship provides a way to pursue their passions.
Economic conditions also factor into those ambitions. The high cost of living was the most commonly cited barrier to entrepreneurship among all respondents, including 42 per cent of Gen Z respondents.
The poll also found 81 per cent of Canadians agree that financial uncertainty acts as a catalyst, motivating more people to explore entrepreneurship as a way to address financial pressures.
“Historically, economic uncertainty and high unemployment have informed interest in entrepreneurship,” said Childs. “While it can be challenging to operate a business in this environment, Canadian entrepreneurs have continued to demonstrate resilience by identifying opportunities to adapt.”
Technology expands access, creates pressure
Technology was another significant factor in how respondents viewed entrepreneurship. Eighty-five per cent of Canadians surveyed agreed that technology and digital platforms have made starting a business feel more accessible, while the same proportion of Gen Z business owners said they are confident using technology to operate their businesses.
At the same time, younger business owners reported additional pressure to keep pace with technological change. Eighty-three per cent of Gen Z business owners agreed entrepreneurs today are expected to learn and adapt to technology more than previous generations, while 63 per cent said they feel pressure to adopt artificial intelligence tools to remain competitive.
“Technology is giving entrepreneurs more ways to turn an idea into a business, but access to digital tools is only one part of building something sustainable,” said Childs. “Entrepreneurs also need sound financial fundamentals, trusted advice and a strong network of support. RBC can help business owners make informed decisions as they move from exploring an idea to starting, managing and growing their business.”