Entrepreneurial Learning by Mompreneurs in the Pandemic Context

Abstract

Objective: to characterize the process of entrepreneurial learning (EL) among mothers who began their entrepreneurial activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research problem: to understand how mompreneurs learn to undertake entrepreneurial activities during pandemic times.

Methodology: this is a single case study of the Feira de Mães Empreendedoras (Mother Entrepreneurs’ Fair) in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven female vendors who were mothers before the pandemic and started their entrepreneurial ventures during that period, including the founder and manager of the fair.

Main Results: participants turned to entrepreneurship as a strategy to reconcile family and professional demands, often after being forced to leave the formal labor market due to the pandemic's impacts. Consistent with previous studies, EL was found to occur predominantly through experiential means, driven by practical engagement and the repertoire developed through prior experiences. However, this study highlights an innovative aspect: learning emerged from the need for rapid adaptation to the pandemic scenario, especially in relation to new technologies and digital learning sources.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: the study contributes to the advancement of the EL literature in crisis contexts, deepening the understanding of how women build entrepreneurial knowledge.

Relevance/originality: the research addresses motherhood-driven entrepreneurship during a health and economic crisis, emphasizing how mothers learn while developing their businesses and forging new professional paths under adverse conditions.

Social/management contributions: the findings offer insights for programs supporting mompreneurship, underscoring the importance of initiatives that integrate motherhood with economic development.