Nurturing Resilient Entrepreneurs

Ingrid Chadwick & Jana Raver

Queen’s School of Business

Research question: ◦ What individual and environmental factors drive

entrepreneurial success during the business start-up phase?

Research setting: ◦ Ontario Self-Employment Benefits Program (OSEB)

Government-supported self-employment program ◦ Intensive business skills development training

◦ Business advisor counseling services

◦ Income support for up to 42 weeks

Eligible participants ◦ Unemployed

◦ Well-defined business idea

Partnership with 10 different OSEB providers ◦ 7 CFDCs

◦ 3 private/public/charitable organizations

200 OSEB participants were invited to respond to 3 surveys ◦ Survey 1: Beginning of program

◦ Survey 2: End of business development training

◦ Survey 3: Approximately 6 months later

• Gender: 47% female, 53% male

• Average age: 43 years (span 21-60 years old)

• Average work experience: 18 years

• Average education: 66% with at least a college degree or higher

Factors: ◦ Individual characteristics

◦ Environmental influences

Measures of success: ◦ Continuous improvement behaviours

◦ Professional growth

Gender

Age

Work Experience

Continuous Improvement

Gender

Age

Work Experience

Professional Growth

Positive Affect

Core Self Evaluation

Learning Orientation

Psychological Capital

Proactive Personality

Continuous Improvement

Positive Affect

Core Self Evaluation

Learning Orientation

Psychological Capital

Proactive Personality

Professional Growth

Social Support

Resource Constraints

Continuous Improvement

Social Support

Resource Constraints

Professional Growth

Continuous Improvement

Challenge Mindset

Individual Characteristics

Environmental Influences

Professional Growth

Let’s hear it from the entrepreneurs…

Time ◦ “There are not enough hours in the day for what I want to

do”

Money ◦ “The bank doesn’t give brand new businesses money. They

want to see sales. But I need money to make my product...”

Networking ◦ ”I need to get my business open and my name out there.”

◦ “I am unknown.”

Networks “Support from a coach and other entrepreneurs has been

pivotal to building self confidence to move forward with business initiatives.”

Personal drive and motivation “Success equals working hard, seven days a week.”

Support from friends and family “My children tell me almost every day that they are proud

of me and think I’m the coolest ”

Advice for new entrepreneurs? for OSEB? Accounting and finances

Networking

Resilience and motivation

Major life changes facing participants Relationship changes

Pregnancies, young babies

Health issues

THANK YOU!

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?