Abstract

Females have emerged in the field of entrepreneurship, and have proven that they are here to stay. The field of entrepreneurship was previously dominated by men, but in recent years females have emerged and are facing success in rapid numbers. Currently, 55% of businesses launched in the United States are launched and run by women (Statistical Abstract of the United States Census Bureau, 2007). The phenomenon of entrepreneurial women being successful is not as common or known in other countries of the world as it is in the USA. Women are launching businesses at a rapid rate, and many women are doing so without assistance. Female solo entrepreneurs are launching their own ventures and dreams without the help of business partners or teams. Entrepreneurs that launch their own business from the ground up without the assistance of business partners, investors, or employees are known as solo entrepreneurs. According to the Statistical Abstract of the United States Census Bureau (2007), 2.9 million new business ventures begin every year in the United States, of which females own 1.6 million. According to Chavern and McKernan (2013), 90% of women owned businesses have no other employees other than the business owner. This qualitative study focused on females as successful solo entrepreneurs in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the top 10 traits of successful female solo entrepreneurs. This qualitative study included telephone interviews with 10 successful female solo entrepreneurs. The top 10 traits discovered included independence, confidence, value of time, desire for risk, aversion to limits and barriers, aversion to authority, desire for excitement, control, ability and desire to learn, and perseverance.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Dissertations (EdD) -- Organizational leadership; Businesswomen; Entrepreneurship; Women executives; Women-owned business enterprises; Self-employed women

Date of Award

2014

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Education

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Schmieder-Ramirez, June;

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