Self-actualization in Entrepreneurship and the Pursuit of Realizing a Venture
Keywords:
COVID-19, Entrepreneurship, Hobby, Self-actualization, Small-businessAbstract
This case study chronicles the inspiring transformation of the protagonist, Suchitra Das, an Indian immigrant in the United States, from a homemaker and academic to a successful entrepreneur. Her venture, Kids Be Inspired (KBI), began in Fremont, California, in 2008 as a creative arts initiative for children, rooted in her personal passion for art, crafting, and education. The main aspects of the case study are as follows: the protagonist’s story, which exemplifies Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization through entrepreneurship. Her assertion that her identity mattered underscored the importance of reclaiming personal and cultural identity, especially for women navigating caregiving roles and societal expectations. Leveraging her creative hobbies and volunteer experience to build KBI, she later expanded into writing classes (Writing Matterz) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with pandemic-induced disruptions, she pivoted to online teaching, demonstrating agility and commitment to her mission. The challenges and strategic choices she made were explored in the case, which explored her difficult decisions, pausing her academic career, overcoming occupational taboos, convincing her family, and managing financial constraints.
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