A Phenomenological Study of the Academic and Social Experiences of Black Women Who Own Successful Small Businesses

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. With a conceptual framework based on disadvantage theory, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of five successful Black women small business owners in Georgia and their perceptions of the roles played by educational attainment and social capital in supporting their success. Data were collected through semistructured, one-on-one interviews with open-ended questions. Using the modified van Kaam method of phenomenological induction, common themes were developed from the data. Results revealed 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. The results of this study are expected to help states like Georgia implement effective strategies to support the success of a key population: minority women who own small businesses. The success of minority women entrepreneurs can have a positive impact on the state economy. More specifically, this research can support business success and social mobility of Black women, who represent a majority of the lower income bracket in Georgia and other states, resulting in positive social change specific to this minority group and the communities in which they live.