Abstract
Black Barbadian women traditionally used micro-enterprises (MEs) to combat social and economic injustices yet little is known about their perspectives. Utilizing two frameworks, Brush's (1992) integrated perspective and Collins’ (2000) Black feminist thought, this research examines apparel retailing ME owners’ views of roles, motivations, decisions, and successes. Using both frameworks (Brush, 1992; Collins, 2000) revealed important insights. Participants viewed MEs as means for survival, cultural enhancement, and opportunities for future generations. Roles were linked to cultivating relationships and producing products for the community. Motivations included reaction to the environment and needs for freedom. Personal preference guided decision-making, while definitions of success included personal fulfillment and acceptance. The combined perspectives for understanding these themes required placing them into the context of the participants' lives and helped to unveil MEs additional purpose, which was to provide black women with the opportunity to counter the oppression that surrounded their personal and professional lives.
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