Abstract
This autoethnographic paper explores the timeline of entrepreneurship through two personal stories from the author's experience as an entrepreneur. The first story depicts the author's experience working with Vivien, a successful female entrepreneur in the 1970s-1980s who served as an early role model and sparked the author's own entrepreneurial journey. However, the story also reveals underlying gender biases that may have contributed to Vivien's eventual downfall. The second story is set in the recent past and depicts a pivotal discussion between the author and his son about transferring ownership of the family business. Here the tone shifts from transactional to relational as the author embraces an "ethics of care" approach focused on interdependence and mutual needs.
Cycles of reflective critical analysis of the stories reveals assumptions and norms related to gender and succession in entrepreneurship. The paper advocates extending the entrepreneurial timeline before startup and after exit to encompass generational impacts. It also argues for greater attention to feminine perspectives and relationships in navigating entrepreneurial transitions. The autoethnographic method provides evocative personal insights while linking to academic concepts like hegemonic masculinity and creative destruction. Overall, the paper offers a new lens for understanding the emotional complexities, biases, and intergenerational dynamics that influence entrepreneurial journeys, with implications for research and practice.