Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine “Who” female entrepreneurs in South Africa are; to explore “What” personal challenges they face; and “How” personal leadership aided them to cope with these challenges and surpass them. Thus the motivation for the study was to investigate the challenges that female entrepreneurs face, and how they cope with these challenges by relying on personal leadership.
Accordingly a modernist qualitative research methodology was adopted for this study. The research strategy adopted multiple case studies. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select five female entrepreneurs from different industries, races, ages and religions as the research participants. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings from these interviews were compared with the literature study in order to integrate the research participants’ responses with the relevant literature.
On a very practical level, the study provided an insight into the lives of female entrepreneurs in South Africa and how they see the world. As the study provided understanding of female entrepreneurs from a personal leadership perspective and how they anchor their lives within the four internal life dimensions (spiritual, mental, emotional and physical), it became clear that personal leadership and support structures are crucial for their success.
Current and future female entrepreneurs could implement the findings into their own lives and motivate young women to enter the world of entrepreneurship while preparing them for the challenges they will face.
M.Phil.