The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomena of women and entrepreneurship and how women’s culture and faith have affected their motivation to become entrepreneurs. The study examined how gender and religion influence women’s attitudes to entrepreneurship. In so far as religion, the study specifically addressed evangelical Christian women and was undertaken within the confines of the Caribbean experience, more specifically, Jamaica. In approaching the research there were four research questions to be answered, as follows.
1. What factors account for Jamaican Christian women becoming entrepreneurial?
2. What is the current thinking among Christian Jamaican women regarding pursuing their entrepreneurial endeavors?
3. What is the biblical evidence that supports the idea of women pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors?
4. To what extent does the Jamaican culture impact women who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs?
The qualitative research was undertaken over a four-month period with a sample of 71 Christian women. Data was collected using focus group interviews/discussions (existing entrepreneurs), personal interviews (retired or reverted to employment), and an online survey (entrepreneurial aspirants). The results from the enquiry, which were relatively confluent and supported by the literature, highlighted that Christianity was not a major motivating force to becoming an entrepreneur. Instead, the main driving forces were cultural, for example the need to provide for family due to the absence of fathers, or personal ambition or expression, financial need among others. The women expressed the significance of their Christian values impacting their decision making in the business, treating people fairly, and being an example in the community. The need for training and development as well as handling gender issues was highlighted. Consequent to the study, a transformational strategy to address the needs and build a community, has been proposed for a phased implementation in the latter part of 2023.