We have to leverage those relationships: how Black women business owners respond to limited social capital

Abstract

Past research has examined how certain amounts of social capital impact business owners. Access to diverse social networks, social support, and resources make running a viable business easier for some. Although literature points to these benefits as factors for operating a successful business, Black women often do not have the same levels of social capital necessary when they become business owners. Research specifically related to Black women business owners’ social capital and how it relates to their business success, is limited, so we know less about how Black women respond to potential social capital challenges. Using 20 in-depth interviews, I utilize an intersectional framework to critically examine how Black women’s access to limited social capital creates business related challenges. I find that race, class, and gender impact how Black women owners engage in this process. Respondents restructure their social networks, join professional organizations catered to women and people of color, and use community involvement to their advantage. This study adds to our current understanding of Black women’s entrepreneurial pursuits and their specific challenges.