Sustaining Entrepreneurial Careers: Coping with COVID-19 Career Shock

The impact of career shocks on entrepreneurial careers is still an under researched topic. This study explores the coping mechanisms of women entrepreneurs as they faced career shock arising from the COVID19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with 20 Indian women entrepreneurs were conducted and analyzed using Gioia methodology. Our findings point to the role of growth mindset, career intentionality and family & spousal support on the career continuity of Indian women entrepreneurs. Spirituality as a coping mechanism also emerged from the study. This study makes strong contributions to career and entrepreneurship literatures by studying an integration of personal and contextual factors in career continuation.