Success Of Women Entrepreneurs Research Articles

Microcredit and women entrepreneurial success: a moderated mediation effect of household economic status

PurposeThis paper examines whether household economic status mediates the effect of microcredit on entrepreneurial success amongst women microcredit clients and if this effect is conditional on the borrower’s marital status.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study uses primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from microcredit borrowers in Tanzania. The selection of the respondents for the survey involved categorising them based on their loan amount and length of membership in the program and randomly picking them for study participation. To realise the study objective, we used the moderated mediation model and employed the Linear-Based Regression Model 8 of the Hayes PROCESS macro V4.1 for SPSS.FindingsThe findings show that the loan amount and household economic status positively and significantly affect entrepreneurial success. However, the effect of microcredit on entrepreneurial success is mediated by household economic status. On the other hand, the direct and indirect effects of microcredit on entrepreneurial success differ depending on the borrowers' marital status, with married borrowers being negatively affected.Originality/valueMicrofinance supporters suggest that microcredit is vital for enterprise development and other socioeconomic outcomes. However, the results are inconclusive, including the role of household economic status. This study provides empirical insights into the moderated mediation effect of household economic status on the relationship between microcredit and entrepreneurial success. The study’s findings and limitations suggest considering not only microcredit and related factors but also the essential role of family factors in future research and design of microfinance services in efforts to support and grow microcredit-assisted women-owned businesses.

Are women entrepreneurs more androgynous than men entrepreneurs? A comparative content analysis of language used by Shark Tank India Judges

ABSTRACT Despite a significant increase in the number of women entrepreneurs in India, it remains a gendered profession. In this study, we aim to re-examine gender dynamics in entrepreneurship by using language as an interpretative tool to assess entrepreneurs’ psychological characteristics – motives, values, and linguistic styles. There has been a lack of academic research that focuses on successful women entrepreneurs. To address this, we specifically focused on seven entrepreneurs, who appeared as judges on Shark Tank India, Season One. Using computer-aided text analysis (LIWC software), we content-analysed 571 Tweets, 328 LinkedIn posts, and 13 media interaction videos (total 436:38 minutes), resulting in 912 individual observations. Results showed evidence of gender maturity in entrepreneurship, suggesting that women entrepreneurs had androgynous stable dispositions of both masculine and feminine characteristics. However, analysis of the media interactions showed that women entrepreneurs are significantly higher on affiliation motive as compared to their counterparts. This paradoxical situation validates the socio-cultural embeddedness where the perceptive portrayal of Indian women entrepreneurs as communal continues to be rooted in deep gender-bias. Interestingly, in terms of language usage, we found that women employed more masculine language than men, facilitating their entry and acceptance in a male-dominated profession.

Self-Efficacy, Alertness and Work-Family Conflict Toward Women Entrepreneurial Success

Over the last few decades, the rise in women’s entrepreneurship has been influenced by greater access to education, changing societal attitudes, advancements in technology, and initiatives aimed at empowering women in the business world. The increasing number of women entrepreneurs worldwide, is attributed to technological advancements and a decrease in job opportunities in both government and private sector. As a developing country, Malaysia also has a considerable number of women entrepreneurs taking advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities due to limited prospects and desire to have more quality time with their families. This research delves into the correlation between self-efficacy, alertness, and work-family conflict toward the success of women entrepreneurs. Recognizing that women play a crucial role in family management and business, this study investigates the moderating effect of work-family conflict on the relationship between self-efficacy, alertness, and the success of 300 women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. 300 successful women entrepreneurs participated through an online survey method and the data gathered were analyzed through the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 22 and SmartPLS 3.0.

Performance of Women Entrepreneurs: Does Financial Literacy Really Matter?

Purpose: The aim of the research is to investigate the impact of financial literacy and its dimensions on the women entrepreneurial success. The focus of the study is on the women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and examines the relationship between the dimensions of financial literacy like financial management, saving, debt, insurance and investment literacy and the performance of the women run enterprise. The inclusion and participation of the women is a key indicator for the progress and development of a country.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs a quantitative approach where survey questionnaires were the primary research method employed to collect the data. Data was collected from 284 women entrepreneurs form the major metropolitan cities in Pakistan. These women were selected using purposive sampling and the data was then analysed using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.
 Findings: The finding of the study suggests that the overall financial literacy level of women entrepreneurs is impacting the success and growth of their ventures. Moreover, all the dimensions of the financial literacy were positively and significantly related to the success.
 Implications/Originality/Value: This research advances the argument that the financial literacy is a contributing factor in the entrepreneurial success of the business.

Motivations and Issues for Women Entrepreneurs in Enhancing Business Performance in the Smart Tourism Sector of Bangladesh: A Case Study

In this case study, the impact of female entrepreneurs' motivations and obstacles on business performance in Bangladesh's smart tourism industry is investigated. The purpose of the study is to provide light on the challenges that women face and the variables that encourage their involvement in entrepreneurship in the smart travel and tourism sector. This study aims to advance our understanding of women's entrepreneurship dynamics within the unique context of Bangladesh's smart tourism industry by carrying out an exhaustive investigation and analysis. The research uses a case study methodology and focuses on female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh's smart tourism sector. The study looks into the main reasons why women choose to start their own businesses in this industry using qualitative techniques like surveys, interviews, and in-depth examinations of business performance metrics. The focus of the research is to provide insight into the tactics used by female entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles, innovate within their companies, and support the expansion of the travel and tourism industry. Additionally, the study looks at how these incentives and difficulties relate to business performance indicators like revenue growth, market presence, and sustainability in the end. The case study improves our knowledge of gender-specific dynamics in entrepreneurship from an academic perspective and has real-world applications for policymakers, organizations that assist small businesses, and female entrepreneurs. A more inclusive and encouraging business environment can be fostered by stakeholders by identifying the reasons behind women's entrepreneurial success in the tourism industry and addressing the obstacles they encounter. The ultimate goal of the case study is to enhance the success of individual female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh's tourism industry while also contributing to the industry's overall vibrancy.

Sustainable HRM Strategies and Open Innovation: Nurturing Women Entrepreneurs in the Fashion Sector with mediating role of Entrepreneurial Readiness

This research investigates the influence of Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM) on Women Entrepreneurship Success (WES) in the context of the fashion industry in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. With a focus on boutiques, apparel, embroidery, sewing, beauty parlors, and jewelry businesses, the study aims to demonstrate how Sustainable HRM supports female entrepreneurship, utilizing Entrepreneurial Readiness as a mediator and Open Innovation as a moderator. Data was collected from 300 female entrepreneurs in Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan Division through questionnaires. Structural equation modeling, mediation, moderation, regression, reliability, T-test, and ANOVA analyses were conducted to unveil the latest insights. The findings highlight that Sustainable HRM fosters women entrepreneurship by elevating entrepreneurial readiness and applying entrepreneurship theories. The study is region-specific, limited to Southern Punjab, and reveals potential variations in findings across diverse contexts. Emphasizing Open Innovation, Sustainable HRM, Entrepreneurial Readiness, and WES, the research suggests future exploration of variables such as education, training, unemployment, poverty, and gender discrimination. Notably, this study pioneers the examination of the interplay between Sustainable HRM and women entrepreneurial success in the Pakistani fashion industry, introducing a novel perspective beyond the traditional focus on entrepreneurial readiness and entrepreneurship.

Identity of Successful Women: An Analysis of Transitivity System and Stance Markers in Selected TED Talks

In recent years, as women continue to break through barriers and shatter glass ceilings, it becomes necessary to understand how they construct their identities as successful individuals. To fulfill this purpose, this research paper analyzed selected TED Talks delivered by five successful women entrepreneurs. The present study aims to unravel how women perceive success according to their personal experiences. The analysis is conducted in two phases. In the first, Halliday’s transitivity system was used. In the second phase, Hyland’s (2005) analysis of stance was applied to scrutinize the linguistic choices made by the speakers to construct and convey their identities as successful individuals. Results of data analysis revealed that with the prevailing use of material transitivity processes, successful women were able to present their experiences clearly. The dominance of self-mentions and scarcity of hedges revealed their confidence and certainty in their speech and their success experience as well.

Marketing Orientation, Customer Orientation, Entrepreneurship Education and Women Entrepreneurship Sustainability in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia

The focal point of the examination included investigating the achievement factors among women entrepreneurs in the province of Malaysia. This paper explored to what degree a few factors, entrepreneurship education management, customer orientation and marketing orientation can clarify its commitment towards turning out to be effective women entrepreneurship visionary. Women entrepreneurs have been progressively mainstreamed into advancement forms, and by assuming an assortment of jobs at the family, network and society levels, they have had the option to add to national improvement and thriving. Reflecting dynamically expanded political will, progressive Malaysian advancement plans have put a more prominent accentuation on mainstreaming women entrepreneurs in national improvement through certifiable multi-sectoral approaches and projects. Gender orientation as an advancement center was first referenced in the Third Malaysia Plan (1976–1980), which supported the dynamic interest of women entrepreneurs being developed and their commitment to the economy. The job of Women entrepreneurs in neediness destruction was given acknowledgment under the Fifth Malaysia Plan when social projects to elevate the state of women were supplanted by monetary projects. The results show that the regression analysis on entrepreneurship education management, customer orientation and market strategy affect the sustainability of SMEs. Numerous studies have been undertaken to evaluate the effects of various elements on women's entrepreneurial success, but our study looked into several entrepreneurship education management, customer orientation and market strategy factors towards women's entrepreneurship sustainability that have largely gone unexplored, particularly in Malaysia. The current study further adds to the previous literature by providing empirical evidence.

Factors Influencing the Success of Women Entrepreneurs in the International Market: A Comprehensive Analysis

Currently, women are widely recognized as successful entrepreneurs because of their strong desire, qualities, and abilities in order to drive robust economic development in their respective countries. In light of the significant contribution women make to economic development in India, the study investigated factors that affect women entrepreneurs' success. As part of the data collection process, 181 SME Chambers of India were contacted and structured questionnaires were distributed to them. It consists of the development of a conceptual model and the use of SPSS and AMOS software for the analysis of the data. A number of factors contribute to the success of women owned enterprises on the international market, including internal factors such as achievement, risk-taking, and technology adaptation, and external factors such as economics and socioculture. The study recommends that the Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber of India, policymakers, and practitioners support women entrepreneurs by providing an array of incentives and supports related to those internal and external factors. We investigated some internal factors like technology adaptation that are still almost untouched in India after the post-pandemic pandemic. Numerous studies have examined different factors' effects on women's entrepreneurial success. In addition to adding empirical evidence to the existing literature, the current study contributes to the existing literature.

SOCIAL COMPETENCE AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS: A REVISED MODEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Women entrepreneurs in small businesses are beginning to be seen more than ever as a vehicle for entrepreneurship development, contributing not just to employment and social stability but also become a competitive power. However, the slow and inefficient business performance of women entrepreneur is drawing the attention of scholars towards the traits that should be possessed. Drawing upon the psychological characteristic model, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of social competence (social perception, social adaptability, expressiveness and impression management) on the women entrepreneurial success and in turn its impact on the business sustainability. The data were collected from January until October 2020 on micro enterprise in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using quantitative research design, a structured questionnaire was used among the women entrepreneur listed in Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents from each state in Malaysia. Descriptive statistic and linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data, which comprised 500 respondents. Overall, the findings showed that four dimensions of social competence had a significant positive relationship on the women entrepreneurial success. The novelty of this study rests in shedding light on a revised psychological characteristic model in micro enterprise sector and emphasised the crucial role women entrepreneur’s social competence for business sustainability.

Factors influencing women's entrepreneurial success: A multi-analytical approach.

Women entrepreneurs are significant contributors to the economic development of any country and their role becomes more vital in improving the economic condition of developing countries. This highlights the important role of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their entrepreneurial success. Therefore, the current study extends the entrepreneurship literature by examining the effects of factors like personality traits (PT), motivation and commitment (MC), availability of financial resources (AFR), and government support (GS) on entrepreneurial success (ES) of women-owned SMEs. Using a purposive sampling technique data from 255 women-owned SMEs were collected. A multi-analytical approach was employed to analyze the data. The Structural equation modeling (SEM) results indicated that PT, MC, AFR, and GS have a direct effect of ES whereas MC also mediated the link between PT and ES, and the results reveal that in presence of MC the effects of PT on ES become more significant. SEM results revealed that PT and AFR are the most important factors related to entrepreneurial success. On the contrary, ANN analysis revealed that "motivation and commitment" is the most influencing factor. These findings can guide business practitioners and policymakers in the envisioned strategy formulation to encourage women entrepreneurs who can contribute to their country's sustainable economic growth.

Lived experiences of successful women entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Iran: a feminist phenomenological study

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial actions of successful Iranian women entrepreneurs. It is an attempt to find the roots, motivations, challenges and strategies of successful actions of these women, despite the unequal and masculine structure of the society.Design/methodology/approachThis research was conducted through the theoretical framework of poststructuralist feminism and the qualitative method. By purposive sampling, the researchers selected 10 women entrepreneurs living in Khorasan Razavi province for in-depth interviews. These women have created many jobs based on local potential and become recognized as top entrepreneurs. The narratives of these women were analyzed phenomenologically.FindingsThe actions of these women are fertilized under the influence of family background and early socialization and in the combination of internal motivations and external stimuli. These women resist social barriers such as widespread patriarchy, gender division of labor in society and complex bureaucratic processes through the “strategic cycle” resulting from the interaction of “reliance on intertwined social networks,” “social entrepreneurship,” “gradual formation of social capital” and “reliance on local potentials.”Social implicationsThe strategies to overcome gender inequalities at the micro (family) and macro (society) levels introduced in this research can inspire women entrepreneurs who seek success in their businesses.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative research that, by studying the actions of successful Iranian women entrepreneurs, describes how they overcome structural inequalities and their success strategies.

Innovation conviction, innovation mindset and innovation creed as precursors for the need for achievement and women's entrepreneurial success in South Africa: entrepreneurial education as a moderator

PurposeThis study aims to determine the impact of innovation conviction, innovation mindset and innovation creed on the need for achievement and the success of women entrepreneurs. The study also investigates the impact of entrepreneurial education in moderating the relationship between the need for achievement and women’s entrepreneurial success.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a structured questionnaire and a quantitative research design. Data were gathered from 304 women entrepreneurs in South Africa’s Gauteng province. The data were analysed using smart partial least squares.FindingsThe results showed that innovation conviction, innovation mindset and innovation creed have positive and significant impacts on the need for achievement. It was also discovered that the need for achievement and entrepreneurial education have a positive and significant impact on women's entrepreneurial success. Moreover, the results showed that entrepreneurial education had a positive and significant moderating effect on the nexus between the need for achievement and women's entrepreneurial success.Practical implicationsBy comprehensively examining the impact of innovation conviction, innovation mindset and innovation creed on the need for achievement and women's entrepreneurial success, this study has valuable implications for academics.Originality/valueThis research will add to the corpus of information on women's entrepreneurship and small business management in Africa, which is generally overlooked by academics in developing countries.

Motivational Factors of Women Entrepreneurs in Agribusiness Entrepreneurial Development in Malaysia

Successful women entrepreneurs are recognized through their strong motivation, desire, and capabilities to enhance economic development and increase entrepreneurial diversity in a range of various economic contexts. Motivation comprises biological, emotional, social, and cognitive components that drive behavior and agribusiness entrepreneurship. Given the important role played by women in contributing to the development of entrepreneurial activities in agribusiness, this study therefore aims to examine the motivating factors for women involved in agricultural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial development in agribusiness. An online survey was conducted among women entrepreneurs in Malaysia, and descriptive analysis and multiple regression analyses were employed to analyze the data quantitatively. The findings revealed that women in the study area mostly received support from implicit and explicit motivation, such as psychological characteristics and competencies to achieve their business goals and boost their efforts in uplifting economic wellbeing and developing the agribusiness sector. Women who engaged in community development were highly influenced by connections and attitude motivational patterns that predict entrepreneur behavior. Hence, activities that led to increased motivation for women to improve their competency, power, and involvement in agribusiness should be fully supported. These factors enhanced job creation and built their credibility in agricultural entrepreneurship development.

Psychological Women Empowerment and Women Entrepreneurial Success: A Case Study of Micro-Enterprise in Malaysia

Women are taking on the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship in ever-increasing numbers. Existing literature suggests that women have been playing a significant part in the growth of micro-enterprise and economic development. Unfortunately, most of women failed to sustain in entrepreneurship due to psychological characteristic issue for instance lack of empowerment among themselves. As a result, there is an insistent need to investigate various dimensions of women empowerment especially in the context of micro-enterprise sustainability. Since the sustainability of micro-enterprise among women entrepreneur are still being debated among scholars, therefore the understanding on the concept of psychological women empowerment in depth is crucial. This study was conducted to investigate the role of psychological women empowerment that may assist in women entrepreneurial success. The total of 410 women entrepreneurs categorised as Low Income Household (LIH) who conducting micro-enterprise in Malaysia participated in this study voluntarily. The time horizon for the study conducted was three years. The data was analysed using descriptive and linear regression analysis. The finding obtained from this study indicated that there was significant positive relationship between psychological women empowerment and women entrepreneurial success. In addition, the findings showed that women had greater level of awareness in increasing knowledge and family welfare, financial independence and self-identity. The findings offer evidence that women in LIH engaged in entrepreneurial activities feel much empowered that lead to business sustainability. This result provides valuable insight for agencies involved in women entrepreneurship development especially on microenterprise.

THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WOMEN EMPOWERMENT ON MICRO ENTERPRISE SUSTAINABILITY

Women’s contribution to the economic growth takes many forms including entrepreneurship. Existing literature suggest that women can play a significant role in the larger entrepreneurship landscape and economic development. Unfortunately, the level of women entrepreneurial success is still low. Most of women failed to sustain in entrepreneurship due to psychological characteristic issue for instance lack of empowerment among themselves. Consequently, many countries have been focusing on empowering women for the economic development and to relieve the plight of women living in poverty. Therefore, women empowerment emerges as one of the crucial issues in the entrepreneurship field especially among low income household. Increasing empowerment element among women is seen as one of the ways to improve entrepreneurial activity and increase the access for economic opportunity. Since the success of micro enterprise among women entrepreneur are still being debated among scholars, therefore the understanding on the concept of psychological women empowerment in depth is crucial. The limitation on the explanation concerning the concept of the psychological women empowerment on women entrepreneur requires for further investigation. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the role of psychological women empowerment that may assist in women entrepreneurial success. The study employed quantitative method and time horizon of the study covers three years starting from 2018. The total of 410 women entrepreneurs categorised as low income household who conducting micro enterprise in Malaysia participated in this study voluntarily. The data was analysed using descriptive and linear regression analysis. The finding obtained from this study indicated that there was significant positive relationship between psychological women empowerment and women entrepreneurial success. In addition, the findings showed that women had greater level of autonomy, independence and having control on their business. The findings offer evidence that women in low income household engaged in entrepreneurial activities feel much empowered that lead to business sustainability. This result provides valuable insight for agencies involved in women entrepreneurship development especially on micro enterprise.

Entrepreneurship Education and Business Success of Women Entrepreneurs in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Entrepreneurship Education and Business Success of Women Entrepreneurs in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Islamic Microfinance and Women Entrepreneurial Success: Mediating Role of Human Capital

Purpose: This paper examines Islamic microfinance impeding sustainable women’s entrepreneurial performance in South Punjab, Pakistan. Further, we examine whether human capital mediates the relationship between variables
 Design/Methodology/Approach: To examine the impact, the
 primary data were collected from 220 women entrepreneurs who obtained microfinance from Islamic microfinance institutions (IMFIs) and Non-Islamic microfinance institutions operating in South Punjab, Pakistan. The correlation and regression models are used to translate the relationship and measure the impacts of microfinance on women’s entrepreneurial performance.
 Findings: Results show that Islamic microfinance plays a positive role in women's entrepreneurial success. Further, documented that IMFIs have contributed more to entrepreneurial growth as compared to non-IMFIs. 
 Implications/Originality/Value: This paper can be further extended by incorporating more factors and increasing sample size in order to get more significant results.

“Think entrepreneur – think male”: the effect of reduced gender stereotype threat on women's entrepreneurial intention and opportunity motivation

PurposeEntrepreneurship, which traditionally has been a male occupation, still attracts fewer women than men. Challenging gender stereotypes within entrepreneurship is one avenue to increase women's entrepreneurial intention and promote women entrepreneurship. This study adapts the “think manager – think male” leadership perspective to the entrepreneurship context and explores gender stereotype's implications for both entrepreneurial intention and motivation to become an entrepreneur.Design/methodology/approachA total of 902 Spanish non-entrepreneurs, both male and female, were randomly asked about the representation of successful entrepreneurs (no-gender-mention), successful men entrepreneurs or successful women entrepreneurs (reduced stereotype threat condition vs no-gender-mention or men entrepreneurs' conditions). Then, female participants' entrepreneurial intention, its antecedents (i.e. attitudes toward entrepreneurship, subjective norms and entrepreneurial self-efficacy) and necessity vs opportunity motivation were measured and compared to their male counterparts' scores in those three conditions.FindingsFemale participants reported higher entrepreneurial intention, self-efficacy and opportunity motivation when assigned to the successful women entrepreneurs' condition. Younger participants – compared to older ones – also exhibited higher entrepreneurial intention and opportunity motivation, more positive attitudes toward entrepreneurship and higher scores in subjective norms. Furthermore, findings suggest a woman entrepreneur seems to be less accessible (or more counter-stereotypical) to male participants than to female participants and, thus, the “think entrepreneur – think male” bias is more noticeable in male participants. Therefore, reducing negative stereotype threat for women in entrepreneurship may increase women's entrepreneurial career aspirations. This is of utmost importance to optimize training courses and mentoring programs to strengthen women's self-efficacy in their entrepreneurial skills and capabilities.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature about gender, entrepreneurial intention and motivation by adapting a leadership paradigm (“think manager – think male”) to entrepreneurship (“think entrepreneur – think male”). These findings shed new light on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and motivation and have implications for policy measures. Acknowledging that exposure to successful women entrepreneurs as role models potentially facilitates entrepreneurship among women, governments should provide tailor-made incentives and support for women entrepreneurs in the form of awareness raising, networking and in the mass media.

Etching a place in the design industry – case of DesignTheme Innoventics

Study level/applicability This case can be used in the core course on entrepreneurship for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Master of Business Administration/Post Graduate Diploma in Management (MBA/PGDM) students. It will help them to understand the motivations and challenges of women entrepreneurs, strategies to manage challenges, interactive style of leadership and their contribution to the economic growth of the country. Subject area Entrepreneurship. Case overview Roopa Rani, co-founded a digital design company, DesignTheme Innoventics (DTI), with her husband Yoganand, in November 2007, on the first floor of their residence. Yoganand’s creativity and Roopa’s determination made them bootstrap, scale slow and steady. As a novice to the industry, the initial days posed many challenges. Roopa hired artists to be appointed as designers, which gave them a unique selling preposition. They progressed slowly from a team of 2 to 20, with a revenue of INR 0.3M per annum to INR 12M per annum. As the company grew, Roopa wanted Yoganand’s support in handling the responsibilities, and hence, converted DTI into a limited liability partnership in 2013 and the couple were directors. As the client base improved, the need for shifting to a bigger space became more evident. A calculative risk-taker, Roopa, was forced to move DTI to a bigger office space end 2017, with a rent of INR60,000 per month. Meanwhile, they became a team of 20, with revenue of INR12m. The shift from no rent to a rented space made DTI slip to break-even. However, after two years, they moved into a smaller space and it coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the backlog orders were processed during the first quarter of 2020–2021, the business for the next quarter was affected. Social distancing norms created a shift in the way of doing business, which was a boon for a designing company like DTI. Now, the task before this self-made woman entrepreneur was to formulate strategies to scale up the business. Expected learning outcomes After analysing the case, the students will be able to: i. Value the contribution of women entrepreneurs towards the economy. ii. Examine the motivational factors and challenges of women entrepreneurs. iii. Understand the importance of networking. iv. Appraise the socio-cultural factors in a patriarchal society and their impact on the work-life balance of a woman entrepreneur. v. Appreciate the interactive leadership style of women entrepreneurs. vi. Formulate strategies to scale up the business. Supplementary materials • Agarwal, S., & Lenka, U. (2015). Study on work-life balance of women entrepreneurs – review and research agenda. Industrial and Commercial Training, 47(7), 356–362. doi:10.1108/ict-01–2015-0006 • Amit, R., & Muller, E. (1995). “Push” And “Pull” Entrepreneurship. 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Xheneti, M., Karki, S. T., & Madden, A. (2018). Negotiating business and family demands within a patriarchal society – the case of women entrepreneurs in the Nepalese context. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 31(3–4), 259–278. doi:10.1080/08985626.2018.1551792 Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.