Construindo negócios e vencendo barreiras: jornada das mulheres empreendedoras no município de Uruçuí, Piauí

Abstract

Entrepreneurship becomes a concrete alternative for personal improvement and economic strengthening in contexts marked by structural inequalities. Despite the significant growth of women in business, especially in sectors such as beauty, fashion, and food, there are still substantial challenges regarding access to credit, training, social recognition, and balance between work and family life. This study addresses female entrepreneurship locally, focusing on the reality of female entrepreneurs in the municipality of Uruçuí, in Piauí. The topic is relevant because it addresses a growing social phenomenon in which women have sought, through entrepreneurship, to achieve financial autonomy, reconcile their multiple social roles, and transform their living conditions. The gap identified in the research is related to the scarcity of studies investigating the reality of female entrepreneurs in municipalities in the interior of Piauí, especially from a perspective that considers the economic aspects and the subjective, social, and emotional challenges that cross their trajectories. The study's overall objective was to understand the reasons that led women to enter the entrepreneurial world in Uruçuí-PI, analyzing their entrepreneurial trajectory, entrepreneurial characteristics, obstacles faced, and strategies used to keep their businesses active. The research adopted a qualitative approach with an exploratory and descriptive character. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs. The data were organized into thematic categories and analyzed in light of the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin (2011). The results revealed that most entrepreneurs started their businesses out of necessity, motivated by factors such as unemployment, motherhood, desire for independence, and family influences. In addition, it was identified that these women demonstrate striking characteristics such as persistence, ethics, empathy, a sense of organization, and a constant search for training. Among the recurring challenges are bureaucracy, local conservatism, lack of emotional support, and accumulation of functions. In contrast, the strategies used by them include planning, faith, support network, use of agendas, professional reinvention, and vision of the future. It is concluded that female entrepreneurship in Uruçuí is a significant social force that promotes not only income generation, but also personal transformation, autonomy and protagonism. The study reinforces the importance of public policies and social actions that encourage and strengthen entrepreneurship led by women, especially in regions where this reality is still little visible.