Student Entrepreneurs: Motivation, Sustainability, Challenges, and Future Plans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajsde.v5i2.7840Keywords:
Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Financial Constraints, Phenomenology, Sustainability, Youth EmpowermentAbstract
Entrepreneurship has long been recognized as a key driver of economic growth and innovation. This qualitative study explored the entrepreneurial journey of student entrepreneurs who graduated from Altavas National School between 2020 and 2023. Using a phenomenological approach, the research focused on individuals aged 20 to 23 who ventured into business after completing their Senior High School (SHS) education, having been exposed to entrepreneurship subjects. Fifteen participants were selected through snowball sampling, and data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. The study was guided by four key research questions examining their motivations, sustainability strategies, challenges, and future plans. Findings revealed that financial constraint was a major barrier to business initiation, with many participants relying on family support or personal savings. Despite this, the primary motivations for pursuing entrepreneurship included economic necessity, the influence of SHS entrepreneurship education, and the desire for practical business experience. To sustain their ventures, participants employed strategies, such as digital marketing, product diversification, and strict financial discipline, leveraging social media as a key promotional platform. A common challenge was managing academic responsibilities alongside business activities, which students addressed by utilizing time management techniques such as task prioritization and delegation.
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