Lived Experiences of Females With Entrepreneurship in Sudan: Networking, Social Expectations, and Family Support

Abstract

Extensive research exists on female entrepreneurship in developed countries such as North America and Europe; however, there is limited research on women entrepreneurs in African nations, specifically in Sudan. This descriptive phenomenological research was designed to explore, discover, and describe the perceptions and lived experiences of successful Sudanese female entrepreneurs concerning overcoming the challenges and obstacles faced in the beginning and managing new businesses in the region of Khartoum, capital of Sudan. This article uses the salient theories and concepts of entrepreneurship value creation theory, social role theory, challenges, and barriers facing women entrepreneurs. All these theories and concepts have been instrumental in understanding the lived experiences of challenges and barriers facing women entrepreneurs in Khartoum, Sudan. Data gathered from 19 female entrepreneurs purposively selected across Khartoum, Sudan, revealed that women struggle (a) having to secure funds; (b) society’s perception of suitable work for women; (c) access to networking; and (d) inadequate support from the government. The research also revealed that factors that influence factors to be successful are women’s family support and motivation; adjusting to social expectations. In addition to the strategies used to manage a successful business, there is a need for training and development skills and being persistent and believing in oneself. The research results showed that women experience mixed feelings during establishing and operating the business. The experience of women with the barriers and challenges includes fear, frustration, stress, and anger when they begin to manage the business. However, women also experienced positive feelings include risk-taking, courage, passion for learning, empowerment, fearlessness, ambition, determination, persistence, and believing in oneself. The women in this research were creative and initiative and managed to begin and operate a successful business.

Women empowerment and entrepreneurial intention: A pathway to achieve sustainable development goal (SDG‐5)

“…In many countries around the world, women entrepreneurs have limited financial resources due to the substantial requirements of lenders (Aragon‐Sanchez et al, 2017). Said and Christine (2020) pointed out that many females may intend to become entrepreneurs, but accessing capital is what hinders them. Hence, they started small businesses that required a small amount of money.…”

“…They are motivated to be hard‐working entrepreneurs when their families support them financially and emotionally. When a family is supportive, women feel encouraged and fearless to start a new business (Said & Christine, 2020). Osorio et al (2017) confirmed that a family is essential in individuals' intentions to start new ventures.…”

“…They added that family support influences entrepreneurial intentions because families tend to encourage individuals in their first phase of starting a new business. Said and Christine (2020) highlighted that family support is also beneficial for women when facing impediments to starting a new business. They found that a supportive family was crucial for new entrepreneurs with new businesses.…”

Exploring kin and family support to young firms in Ethiopia

“…In patriarchal societies, mother-in-laws may pose normative barriers preventing women to take up entrepreneurship even when resources are available (Karim, 2022). The family support and motivation help women entrepreneurs to become successful (Said and Enslin, 2020). Research has documented women discouraging their children to take up entrepreneurship due to sociocultural practices (Akinbami, 2021).…”

Strategic flexibility and organizational resilience of women entrepreneurs in Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic

“…Therefore, there is an urgent need for decision-makers in Sudan to know more about this important segment of society, the extent of its contribution to the national economy, and how to support it and protect its human and civil rights, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic so that all challenges can be overcome, and the problems facing the work of Sudanese businesswomen, which did not come as an opponent over the man, but for his participation to confront the economic conditions that have become burdensome for families and for integration and the formation of an addition to the Sudanese family. It appears that the major problem is the one that women workers in marginal professions face, whether in selling tea and food or domestic workers, especially since most of them are displaced from war and conflict areas and went to work for compelling reasons, including the absence of the breadwinner, until they face daily persecution by means of the authorities confiscate their tools, unfair trials with fines, and prosecute them with social stigma (Said & Enslin, 2020).…”