Abstract
Despite acknowledging the importance of culture in entrepreneurship, less attention has been given to its impact on the growth aspirations of disadvantaged groups, specifically married women entrepreneurs (MWE) in developing country contexts.
Extending the 5Ms framework, this study explores how the business growth ambitions of MWEs in Kaduna State in Nigeria are influenced by culture, to identify effective policies, initiatives, and platforms that will enable them to grow their businesses.
Data from 280 MWE was collected through a survey distributed both online and in person. Descriptive analysis reveals that MWEs want to grow their businesses, both in terms of employment, but also in quality terms through acquisition of management skills and deployment of better strategies but are limited by culturally influenced factors. However, religious institutions, particularly Churches, support MWEs’ ambitions. The findings suggest that government support could be effectively facilitated through religious organisations, where support is already utilised.