Business and family life of self-employed women

This study examined the characteristics of the business careers and family lives of self-employed women in Hawaii. Participants in this study were 230 self-employed women. The sample represented both business owners and those in the agricultural sector, and included women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Participants were located through business directories, women's professional organizations, the Yellow Pages, and professional networks. Data collection began in 1977 and extended through 1979. Researchers initially contacted participants by phone. Personal, semistructured interviews which lasted between one and five hours were taped and transcribed. Researchers also kept written notes on copies of the interview protocol. In addition to the usual areas explored in entrepreneurship studies (e.g., motivation, capital, background factors, etc.), the study addressed the women's views about combining business and family life, their problems and coping strategies at different life-cycle stages, and what they wanted to learn from and teach to each other about their business and family lives. All paper and computer-accessible data are available, including transcripts and the audiotaped interviews.