Motivating Factors And Challenges Of Women Entreprenuers In Micro Enterprises: A Case Study Of Machakos Town In Machakos County

Abstract

Kenyan Women owned businesses are highly increasing in the economies of almost all regions in the country. The hidden entrepreneurial potentials of women have gradually been changing with the growing sensitivity to the role and economic status in the society. Women entrepreneurship is faced by many challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate the motivating factors that drive women micro entrepreneurs into entrepreneurship as well as to establish the challenges they face while conducting business in Machakos town in Machakos County and to suggest ways to address these challenges. The study focused on the following four objectives; profiling women micro entrepreneurs in terms of personal entrepreneurial characteristics and demographic factors, establishing the types of business sectors which female micro entrepreneurs are engaged in, to evaluate the motivating factors that drive women into entrepreneurship and to examine the internal and external challenges faced by women micro entrepreneurs. The study was guided by Social network theory and Human capital theory. The study employed a Case study design targeting women owning micro enterprises located in Machakos town in Machakos County. These were micro women entrepreneurs in manufacturing, retail, wholesale, service and extractive business sectors. A sample of 55 respondents was chosen through purposive and snow ball sampling techniques. The data was collected using observation, questionnaire, and key informants interview guide. The data was analyzed using a descriptive method that is by use of English statements and applicable data was analyzed and presented quantitatively using tabulation, frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. From the findings of the study most women micro-entrepreneurs in Machakos town were between the age of 40-49 years and majority of women were married. The major factors that drove women micro entrepreneurs into entrepreneurship were finance, need for employment and need for self achievement while the major challenges identified by the women were competition, finance, working space and multiple responsibilities. The study recommends that; Women entrepreneurs should take sometime to study the challenges women face in business and possibly pro offer solutions to them before starting their business, Irrespective of the factors that motivate women into business, there is need for adequate preparation before starting their business.