Wellbeing of women entrepreneurs

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs enjoy several benefits, such as flexible work structure, improved work-life balance, higher self-esteem, mental wellbeing, career satisfaction, life satisfaction including physical health, and improved self-image. However, the contribution of entrepreneurship as a profession on women’s wellbeing is not adequately explored in the Indian context. This chapter aims to provide in-depth insights into the wellbeing of women entrepreneurs from a developing country perspective through a qualitative study performed on 30 women entrepreneurs. Some of the questions for which answers are sought are as follows. How does entrepreneurship enrich the quality of life and wellbeing of women? How is wellbeing defined by women entrepreneurs? What constitutes physical, mental, economic, and social wellbeing? Do family ties improve socio-economic, psychological, or social wellbeing? How does wellbeing impact work-life balance and performance of women entrepreneurs? How do government, microfinance institutions, and NGOs impact the socio-economic wellbeing of women entrepreneurs in India? What needs to be done more and where? Answers to these questions will aid policymakers, funders, banks/financial institutions, and NGOs in designing applicable policies and special schemes towards the growth of women in the Indian entrepreneurial sectors, which can help boost the Indian start-up ecosystem.