Ingrid P Nelson

A Phenomenological Study of the Academic and Social Experiences of Successful Black Women Small Business Owners Ingrid P Nelson

The dual discrimination of being a woman and a minority significantly lowers the odds of Black women successfully entering and remaining in entrepreneurship. The problem is a general lack of understanding of the experiences that support or limit the achievement of Black women entrepreneurs in small business, particularly with regard to how education and human capital has helped or hindered their success experience. This book details a phenomenological study exploring the lived experiences of five successful Black women small business owners and their perceptions of the roles played by educational attainment and social capital in supporting their success. Results provide a greater understanding of the key factors and hindrances to success, the role of education, and the role of social networking in supporting success. The successful operation of small businesses constitutes a critical piece of the health of the economy and more specifically, the success of minority women entrepreneurs can have a positive impact on the economy. This research supports business success and social mobility of Black women, who often represent a majority of the lower income bracket, resulting in positive social change specific to this minority group and the communities in which they live.