Research Report: Women Portfolio Entrepreneurs, Barriers, and Journeys

This report presents a comprehensive research study on women portfolio entrepreneurs, exploring their journeys and the significant barriers they encounter. The research delves into the concept of women portfolio entrepreneurship, highlighting its importance in the industry and differentiating it from serial entrepreneurship. It investigates the challenges women face, including access to finance and overcoming societal biases, and examines the influence of motherhood on their careers. The study employs a research methodology based on Pawson’s protocol, prioritizing a realistic review of secondary data to analyze the core issues. The findings aim to determine the critical problems affecting women entrepreneurs and provide insights into overcoming these obstacles, contributing to their success and the overall economic growth. The report concludes with recommendations for supporting women entrepreneurs and addressing the limitations of the research.

Research of portfolio women
entrepreneur’s barriers and
journeys

Table of Contents
TITLE: RESEARCH OF WOMEN PORTFOLIO ENTREPRENEURS JOURNEY AND
BARRIERS......................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1Overview of research.........................................................................................................1
1. 2 Background of research...................................................................................................2
1.3 Research Aim and Objectives:.........................................................................................3
1.4 Rationale of study.............................................................................................................3
1.5 Structure of the dissertation..............................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................7
2.2. Concept of women portfolio............................................................................................7
2.3 Importance of women portfolio in industry......................................................................9
2.4 Challenges faced by women while being an entrepreneur.............................................12
2.5 Difference between an entrepreneur, a serial entrepreneur and a portfolio entrepreneur14
2.6 Is motherhood a barrier in creating a career in women portfolio entrepreneurship industry
..............................................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................18
Step 1: Clarify scope............................................................................................................18
Step 2: Search for evidence..................................................................................................20
Step 3: Appraise primary studies and extract data...............................................................20
Step 4: Synthesize evidence and draw conclusions..............................................................22
Step 5: Disseminate, implement and evaluate......................................................................23
Research philosophy.............................................................................................................24
FINDINGS AND RESULTS.........................................................................................................26
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................34
5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................34
Research limitation...............................................................................................................35

5.2 Recommendation............................................................................................................35
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................36

TITLE: RESEARCH OF WOMEN PORTFOLIO ENTREPRENEURS
JOURNEY AND BARRIERS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1Overview of research
Entrepreneurship is comprehensively said to be as the procedure of creating, introducing
and running completely new business venture at a very initial stage. This also depicts the
capacity as well as willingness of the individual for developing and managing new business by
taking all risks associated with the same and make desired profits at own level (Zerrillo, Joshi
and Itthiopassagul, 2020). Women entrepreneurship is considered as the effectual process in
which women organises all business associated activities, takes risks related to the same and
provide employment opportunities to others. With the passing period of time, it has been
analysed that women have entered into the market in order to develop their own identity and
generate more revenues. Increasing interest of the women in the business world has brought huge
innovation at market place and provided high level of contribution in the economics of the
nation. Portfolios entrepreneurs are acknowledged as the person who has two or more
independent business at own level (Kappal and Rastogi, 2020). It is not necessary that the person
is required to have complete stake of the business. Here, these people can also have minority or
majority ownership stakes in these businesses. Changing world have diverted mind of the people
especially women towards the business as they wants to earn more and more money with their
efforts with the motive of converting their lifestyle into better one. Also, indulging into the
business helps women in becoming financially independent as they can easily bear their own
expenses without any issues (Ranasinghe, 2019). The present report provides detailed knowledge
on the women entrepreneurs and how they get interested in developing their own business and
increasing its numbers with the motive of becoming highly active in making themselves financial
in dependent (Charles, 2017). The respective study is being conducted with the motive of
knowing that several issues, barriers and obstacles faced by women portfolio entrepreneurs while
establishing which business at marketplace. The study will contribute in determining several that
supports women entrepreneurs in overcoming the hurdles and becoming successful at the same
marketplace in rightful manner.
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1. 2 Background of research
Female portfolio entrepreneurs are acknowledged as the women who have two or more
businesses at their own level. there are probable chances that these women can indulge into
partnership for establishing their business effectively and run it smoothly or there are few
chances that these women might have good range of shares in the business which ultimately
makes them partner of the business in some manner (Hamilton and Mostert, 2019). It has been
acknowledged that at the initial level only males were indulging into the business activities at
that of period only men were only being accepted by others as the business operator. In addition
to this, it can be further said that people only perceived women as the home maker in the earlier
time. But now, with the continuous based evolution women are getting diverted towards the
business world and contribute their own share in the development of the society by bringing
innovations at regular basis and contributing in the economic growth of the nation too. Entering
into the business world is not at all easier for the females as they are not getting appropriate level
of support from the others (Squire, 2020). This ultimately creates range of barriers for the women
in business world. But, still with the passing period of time and attaining adequate level of
experiences females are becoming successful in the same. Also, these females are taking several
self initiatives in the businesses for making their business highly successful and profitable. This
directly contributes in the development of the society as well as national economy in the rapid
manner.
It has been analysed that the female portfolio entrepreneurs faces several challenges as well
as barriers creates range of difficulties in front of the women in establishing their business and
making it successful (Crittenden, Crittenden and Ajjan, 2019). Some of the core difficulties that
is being faced by the women entrepreneurs’ are access to finance, to any kind of resources or
support and to pass over their insecurity which comes from lack of confidence, fear of failure,
lack of competence and many others (Muhammad, Robinson and Nisar, 2019). This investigation
is going to conducted on developing their own understanding on several challenges as well as
barriers faced by female portfolio entrepreneurs while executing their business activities in
rightful manner. This study will highlight all the barriers that are faced by the women’s and at the
same time it will provide us detailed information on the several ways through which these can be
overcome in rightful manner. In order to the conduct this investigation in the most lucrative
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form, respective investigator have developed best possible research aim, objectives as well as
questions that will contribute in completing research in the predefined period of time and acquire
proposed research outcome in the quicker manner (Rosa, and Scott, 2019).
1.3 Research Aim and Objectives:
Research aim:
“To investigate research about the women portfolio entrepreneurs’ journey and barriers”
A case study on Women Portfolio Entrepreneurs.
Research Objectives:
 To determine the importance of women portfolio entrepreneurs.
 To investigate about difference between an entrepreneur, a serial entrepreneur and a
portfolio entrepreneur.
 To identify the role of feminism in business and entrepreneurship.
 To ascertain the influence of motherhood in the career of women portfolio
entrepreneurship industry.
Research Questions:
 What is the difference between an entrepreneur, a serial entrepreneur and a portfolio
entrepreneur?
 Why chosen women portfolio entrepreneurs?
 How feminism is portrayed in business and entrepreneurship?
 Is motherhood a barrier in creating a career in women portfolio entrepreneurship
industry?
1.4 Rationale of study
The main purpose of conducting this investigation is to determine core problems that are
being faced by the female portfolio entrepreneurs. All of these are affecting women’s working
practices at negative manner as making them stop to execute their business activities and attain
success in the quicker period of time (Solotaroff and et. al., 2019). Also, while looking at the
perspective of the researcher the study will allow them in determining developing their
knowledge regarding the current growth of the female portfolio entrepreneurs and their future
B23546growth perspectives related to the same (Isiwuand Onwuka, 2017). In addition to this, it
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will also help the investigator in determining core needs of the women entrepreneurs’ which are
required by them while establishing the business and the core weak areas related to the same in
case if they have not achieved it in the available time period of time (Mgaguli, 2019). The
overall initiatives taken by the investigator while conducting this study will develop their core
skills and knowledge associated with the same. This developed knowledge would definitely help
them out in conducting more effective research in the near future.
1.5 Structure of the dissertation
Every investigation is being conducted in specific structure that simply provides an overview to
the investigator about several chapter or areas which have been covered in the research. It also
allows investigator in developing their core understanding on the basic gist about each and every
chapter and its importance in the study (Zerrillo, Joshi and Itthiopassagul, 2020). With reference
to the present study, the respective study includes 5 main chapters mentioned as introduction,
literature review, research methodology, results & discussion and conclusion & recommendation
(Siddiqui and Jan, 2017). Basic overview about each section is provided in the current
investigation which is explained below in briefly:
Introduction: This is To determine the importance of women portfolio entrepreneurs.
 To investigate about difference between an entrepreneur, a serial entrepreneur and a
portfolio entrepreneur.
 To identify the role of feminism in business and entrepreneurship.
To ascertain the influence of motherhood in the career of women portfolio entrepreneurship
industry.he first and foremost chapter of every investigation which is considered as the
introductory one which provides an overview to the reader about the main topic as well as
rationale behind choosing this topic (Helman, 2019). The main sub headings covered in this
chapter includes overview of research, background of study, research aim, objectives, questions,
rationale of study and structure of project. Inclusion of this chapter helps readers in developing
understanding on the topic in brief manner.
Literature review: It is the second chapter of every investigation where main focus of the
researcher is on gathering and presenting information related to the project from different
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secondary sources. In this section, the main research topic is being divided into several sub topics
with the motive of the gathering maximum detailed information on the same topic. Main
preference in this chapter has been provided to books, journals, articles, magazines and other
published sources (Buratti, Cesaroni,and Sentuti, 2017). It can be further said that the main
motive of literature review section is to attain research gap in between the past study and current
investigation (Ranasinghe, 2019). In context of the present study conducted on the women
portfolio entrepreneurs, the literature review section would cover detailed knowledge on its core
concept, its importance within the society as well as industry, Effectiveness of feminism in
developing career as an entrepreneur, barriers as well as challenges faced by female entrepreneur
and proposed solutions that could help women entrepreneur in dealing with the situation and
attaining success within their respective sector (Fackelmann, Concini and Dustdar, 2020).
Specifying detailed information over these topics would develop understanding of the
investigator on the same topic and attain its required project aim and objectives in the quicker
manner.
Research methodology: It is the third chapter of the investigation which provides clear
knowledge on the type of methodology that would be followed by the investigator while carrying
out the same project in rightful manner (Naser, 2018). For this part of dissertation, Pawson’s
protocol steps will be used by researcher because it helps in gathering and analysing of
appropriate information about the topic. For carrying out the present study, researcher have
provided core preference to the secondary data which would be analysed with the usage
qualitative method. In this, realistic review have been prioritised by the researcher rather than
systematic review as the results obtained by the realist review are more beneficial and worthy for
the investigator (Musk, Botha and Neil, 2017). Usage of the right methods helps investigator in
completing the overall project within the available period of time that contributes in attaining
success towards the same in rightful manner.
Results & Discussion: After specifying the respective research methods that have been
adopted by the investigator for the completion of the study, the next chapter is about results and
findings sections (Hashimu, 2018). In this chapter, the investigator analysis the overall gathered
information on the proposed research topic from several sources so that actual findings towards
can be drawn. In order to obtain best possible results, investigator have made use of different
study materials that clearly shows information on the women entrepreneurs, barriers faced by
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them at marketplace and several ways adopted by them for overcoming these barriers (El
Hamidi, 2017). It also provides basic view on the feminism and its core role in the success of the
women entrepreneurs.
Conclusion and recommendation: This is the last chapter of research which is considered as
the most important one (Jayawardane, 2016). This chapter specifies the overall summary of the
project to the readers. This summary includes all the important aspects of the research that have
contributed in the quick achievement of the research aim, objectives and questions
(SchweerRayner, 2018). On the basis of all the findings, the few recommendations are also
provided in the end to the women entrepreneurs so that they can effectively improvise their
performance and deal with the challenges at marketplace in such a manner that result in
attainment of success in rapid manner.
Gantt chart
The project plan timetable
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Literature review is defined as the process of reviewing number of secondary sources in
order to gather the information regarding a particular area of study from the perspective of
different view point of scholars. This support in developing an understanding regarding the
nature of study so that appropriate points can be explained which can be used to proceed further.
In other words it can be said that literature Review is the review of scholarly sources that gives
an overview of specific topic. It includes the process of systematic review of different articles,
journals, books and other sources related to the different themes of study area. It administers
foundation of knowledge on the topic.
2.2. Concept of women portfolio
As per the view point of BOURNE, Terri (2016) women portfolio entrepreneur, meaning
women who run more than one business. There are different examples of women entrepreneurs
such as Alison Jacobson who is the co-founder and CEO of Firestring, Fiona Mati, who is East
African Project Manager for Angaza Design, Fern Elise Foster is the Co-Founder of STUSH
Marketing Ltd etc. These are best examples of women entrepreneur in all over the world.
Illustration 1: Woman portfolio entrepreneur in all over
the world
(Source: Woman portfolio entrepreneur in all over the world, 2013)
From the above mentioned graph, it has been interpreted percentage of male and female
entrepreneur. In sub-Saharan Africa, percentage of female entrepreneur was 22% which is
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greater as compare to male entrepreneur such as 23%. In Mid Asia, number of female
entrepreneurs was high as compare to male which are 23%. In United State, percentage of female
entrepreneur was 36% and male entrepreneurs are 33%. Collectively, women entrepreneurs look
different than their male counterparts. Their lower employment numbers as well as growth
aspirations have historically led to questions of how to “fix” them. Along with this, percentage of
women entrepreneurs is less as compare to male entrepreneurs.
According to the perception expressed by (Lepeley and et. al., 2019), it has been
determined that portfolio entrepreneurs are one who runs two or more businesses at the same
time. All of these businesses run parallel at the same time which provides huge range of
profitability to the companies with which they can maximise their profitability in the rapid
manner. Women entrepreneurs who run more than one business are called as the female portfolio
entrepreneurs. It has been acknowledged that establishing a business at their own level is not at
all easier for the women because they are not get equivalent support from others in their business
development process (Sofer, and Saada, 2017). Here, it can be said that the women portfolio
entrepreneur faces range of problems with the business world. Some of the main barriers that is
being faced by women are luck of competence, gender discrimination, insecurities and lack of
failure, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge (lack of adequate trainings and resources), lack of
finance and many others. All of these barriers directly hamper overall performance of the women
which ultimately affects their profitability in the negative manner.
It can be said that discrimination among the women are constantly increasing within the
society that is not allowing women entrepreneurs to make themselves and strong and stable at
marketplace (Ewens and Townsend, 2020). It is ultimately placing influence over the economic
growth of the nation as the contribution which is attained by the nation from the female
entrepreneurs is not being obtained by them in any manner.
On the other hand, a view expressed by Hamilton, L. and Mostert, C.L., (2019), completely
supports Lepeley and et. al., 2019 as according to them the overall information specified by this
author is specifying the when a female entrepreneur tackles the few businesses at the same time it
can be said that as the women portfolio entrepreneurs’. The respective author has further
mentioned that backwardness of the women in terms of working and earning money has
influenced them a lot in establishing their business at their own level (Bennett, Radicic, and
Newton, 2017). In order to attain higher success and prove themselves within the society these
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women takes several initiatives’ and find out best ways by which they can easily establish their
business. These women’s attain expertise with the passing period of time and experience which
further supports them out in establishing and running more than one business at the single time.
In addition to this Squire, H., (2020) states that women are having higher level of expertise in
performing two or more work at the same time. This is so because the women have lots of
responsibilities as compared to the men within their personal life (Vismara, Benaroio and
Carne, 2017). This simply makes the person expertise of the same and also helps them out in
executing several numbers of businesses in their career for attaining success in rapid manner.
2.3 Importance of women portfolio in industry
Illustration 2: Importance of women portfolio within healthcare industry
(Source: Importance of women portfolio within healthcare industry, 2019)
From the above shown graph, it has been interpreted that women portfolio entrepreneurs
are more important within healthcare industry as compare to corporate America. Percentage of
women entrepreneurs are high in different levels such as entry level, manager, senior manager,
vice president, senior vice president, C-suite etc. Healthcare’s many sub segments are a natural
draw for the 50% of STEM graduates1 that are women, affording them the chance of a career
within an industry with a different variety of technical disciplines like science, engineering,
technology, medicine, operations, business and even design. Also, nurses are more than 80
percent women2 and they comprise a biggest part of the workforce within healthcare provider
and payer organizations in the US.
As per the views expressed by the author named as (Muhammad, N., Robinson, D. and
Nisar, M., (2019), it has been analysed that the women portfolio entrepreneur plays huge role in
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