Research Symposium

BIO

Ketsia Limexant is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance at the Hebert Wertheim College of Business. She is interested in working in the nonprofit sector of healthcare and hopes to pursue a career in healthcare finance or healthcare information management. Outside of academics, Ketsia enjoys a variety of hobbies, including crocheting, yoga, and reading.

How do Entrepreneurs Launch and Scale their Businesses in the Context of Economic Adversity and Poverty

Abstract

Entrepreneurs in low-income and economically challenging environments commonly operate under major constraints such as limited financial resources, weak institutional support, and small opportunity horizons. Regardless, many of these entrepreneurs can launch and scale their businesses despite the challenging conditions. This research explores how entrepreneurs can navigate economic adversity and identify the application of strategies they used to achieve sustainability in their business environment.

The study focuses on topics  such as adaptation of business models, making use of limited resources, creating a network, and leveraging that connection. It also examines the personal experience of resilience, learning, and opportunity recognition and application. By collecting the lived experience of entrepreneurs working under multiple frames of constraint, this research moves beyond conventional growth models that are commonly used to maintain stable economic conditions. The findings are directed at finding insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other organizations seeking to assist business growth in more economically challenged communities.

Keywords: economic, entrepeneur, adversity, business