Female entrepreneurship for the achievement of financial empowerment

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to unveil the cases of entrepreneurship within a group of women entrepreneurs and the aspects that lead to their economic empowerment. Method: The research responds to a mixed approach, in which a characterization sheet was used to collect information on the sociodemographic conditions and characteristics of the enterprises. In addition, semi-structured interviews were applied to learn about the most relevant aspects that guided their entrepreneurial action. Results and discussion: The most notable aspect was the sustainability of the businesses for periods of more than five years, resulting from individual initiatives carried out as an alternative source of income, and self-determination that allowed them to assume their role as a mother and perform their work at the same time. However, the characteristics of entrepreneurship due to the necessity and propensity to self-employment respond to the sociocultural conditions of the participants and their environment, showing that the leadership exercised and the sense of relevance to the context are what constitute them to provide solutions to the social problems of their territories. Conclusions: The entrepreneurship cases analyzed in this study enable three relevant factors to be noted–they are supported by the individual characteristics and the knowledge acquired by women throughout the years, the sustainability of the business, and the entrepreneurs’ sense of belonging.