Exploring the factors contributing to the success of women entrepreneurs in SMMEs in North West

Abstract

The challenges or barriers facing women entrepreneurs have been explored more over the years, women grow and succeed despite these challenges. This study aims to explore motivational factors behind successful women entrepreneurs and the critical success factors for women entrepreneurs in the North West Province. The primary objective of the study is to explore the factors contributing to the success of women entrepreneurs in SMMEs in the North West Province. The supporting secondary objectives helped to achieve the primary objective. The Literature review of Chapter two provided the necessary background on women entrepreneurs needed for the conduction of empirical study. The research followed an exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach based on the thematic analyses proposed by Creswell. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from six participants. These six participants are women entrepreneurs in the North West Province. Thematic analysis was applied as the data analysis technique. Through the qualitative interviews, the six themes were identified: Motivation, critical success factors for women owned enterprises in North West Province, advice to women entrepreneurs, women’s unique approach to business, business success and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. The study concludes by adding more success factors from the qualitative interviews conducted. According to the women participants of this study the following factors contributes to the success of women entrepreneurs: the support from the community and government; women entering and taking over male dominated industries; networking, having a thick skin as a woman, staff development and the managerial skills. The study furtherly concluded by making recommendations for women entrepreneurs and the recommendations for future research.