Resilience and Identity Reconstruction among Female Micro-Entrepreneurs after Business Failure in the COVID-19 Era
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Abstract
Entrepreneurial failure is more than a financial setback; it is a personal and emotional turning point, especially for women running microenterprises in developing economies. This study investigates how female micro-entrepreneurs in Indonesia experienced and responded to business collapse during the COVID-19 era, focusing on the processes of resilience building and identity reconstruction. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight women from diverse sectors who had ceased operations due to pandemic disruptions. The findings reveal four interconnected themes: the dissolution of entrepreneurial identity, emotional and psychological breakdown, the transformative role of peer and community support, and the redefinition of entrepreneurial purpose. Participants navigated feelings of shame, loss, and withdrawal before gradually reframing failure as an opportunity for personal growth and strategic reinvention. Social support emerged as a pivotal factor, enabling emotional recovery and the development of renewed business visions. This research underscores the need for gender-sensitive, psychologically informed entrepreneurship programs that address the emotional realities of business failure. The insights contribute to a more human-centered understanding of entrepreneurship and highlight resilience as a critical driver in the post-crisis entrepreneurial journey.
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