Women and apparel entrepreneurship

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by successful female entrepreneurs to manage the challenges of running a small apparel business. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research design was used. Primary and secondary data were collected on small business in three countries: Russia, South Africa and Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 11 female small apparel business owners. Businesses ranged from tailoring and custom clothing shops, to small-scale design and production, as well as small apparel retail stores. Findings – Three emergent themes highlight the similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants’ narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for these women to be creative in finding resources to start and grow their small apparel businesses, and to manage the competition that they face within this industry. Research limitations/implications – It is difficult to generalize the findings of this study beyond the sample. Implications of the findings for understanding the needs of female apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners are considered. Originality/value – Despite the significance of women to the apparel industry as well as small business ownership, thus far, the role of women as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners has been under-examined in the literature. This study offers insight into what it is like for women seeking to succeed as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Beyond Brick and Mortar: The Experiences of U.S. Female Mobile Fashion Truck Entrepreneurs

“…Despite the female dominance in this field, research that examines women as apparel business owners remains under-examined in small business research (Hodges et al, 2015). This study also contributes to previous work (Hodges et al, 2015) that highlighted and demonstrated the importance of accounting as a challenge for female apparel entrepreneurs and documented their opportunities. Furthermore, this research provides the initial steps toward identifying entrepreneur experiences in mobile retailing.…”

“…Additionally, these findings contribute to an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of female entrepreneurs in the fashion and retailing industry (Hodges et al, 2015), particularly given their prevalence in the apparel industry (Collins, 2003). Despite the female dominance in this field, research that examines women as apparel business owners remains under-examined in small business research (Hodges et al, 2015).…”

“…One recent study has begun to fill this research gap by assessing female entrepreneurship with apparel-related businesses (Hodges et al, 2015). One recent study has begun to fill this research gap by assessing female entrepreneurship with apparel-related businesses (Hodges et al, 2015).…”

“…Sharma and Gambhir (2017) also addressed the complexities within the role of female entrepreneurship. This study takes a similar approach to Hodges et al (2015), since the aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the personal experiences of female fashion truck entrepreneurs. That is, the right decisions for their businesses also considered what was appropriate for society (Sharma & Gambir, 2017).…”

“…While it has been shown in previous research that women and men differ with regards to the entrepreneurial perspective, there remains a lack of understanding of the personal experiences of female entrepreneurs within the retail apparel market. One recent study has begun to fill this research gap by assessing female entrepreneurship with apparel-related businesses (Hodges et al, 2015). Using an in-depth qualitative methodology, the researchers focused on female apparel entrepreneurs and sought to explore distinctive strategies these entrepreneurs employed for running a successful business.…”