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Introduction
Lifestyle entrepreneurship has been gaining prominence as a distinct phenomenon, which transcends traditional approaches oriented exclusively towards profit but also towards quality of life, self-realization and balance between work and leisure (Ateljevic & Doorne, 2000; Marchant & Mottiar, 2011; Dias et al., 2024). This concept describes entrepreneurs who establish and manage their businesses not only with the aim of maximizing profits, but also of aligning their professional activity with personal lifestyles, values and passions (Carlsen, et al., 2008).
Lifestyle entrepreneurs often prioritize flexibility, autonomy and quality of life over expanding their business or maximizing financial returns. These ventures often emerge in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, well-being, crafts, creative technologies and the digital economy, taking advantage of mobility and new technologies to operate in a more decentralized and adaptable way (Veleva, 2021).
These types of entrepreneurs are often motivated by emotional, social and cultural factors, which overlap with traditional financial goals (Ivanycheva et al., 2024). The desire to achieve autonomy, authenticity and alignment with personal values has been identified as one of the main drivers of their initiatives (Prince, 2017). These entrepreneurs often operate in low-population density or rural areas where they create small businesses with a direct impact on local development, promoting the dynamism of regional economies and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage (Ivanycheva et al., 2024).
However, despite the growing relevance of the topic, research on lifestyle entrepreneurship remains fragmented, lacking a more integrated approach that analyzes not only the individual characteristics of entrepreneurs, but also the ecosystem in which they operate. The challenges faced by these entrepreneurs, such as financial instability, dependence on seasonal markets and lack of institutional support, continue to be critical areas that require in-depth investigation (Crick & Crick, 2016; Dias et al., 2022).
Furthermore, the impact of contextual factors, whether social, cultural, familial or institutional, exerts a significant influence on the way lifestyle entrepreneurs structure their businesses and interact with local communities (Splendiani, et al., 2023; Lin et al., 2024). The literature suggests that the capacity for innovation, combined with integration into formal and informal local networks, plays a fundamental role in the long-term sustainability of these projects.
List of Topic Areas
- Profile of lifestyle entrepreneurs: sociodemographic characteristics, values and experiences.
- Motivations for lifestyle entrepreneurship: sense of belonging (roots) to the territory, maintaining the culture and traditions of the territory, quality of life, self-fulfillment, balance between personal and professional life.
- Contextual factors: impact of social networks, public policies, local entrepreneurial ecosystems and socioeconomic environment.
- Challenges faced: financial instability, lack of institutional support, technological and market barriers, lack of qualified human resources.
- Impact of lifestyle entrepreneurship on local development: job creation, stimulation of the circular economy and contribution to sustainability.
- Resilience and adaptation strategies: innovative and sustainable solutions adopted by entrepreneurs in territories.
- Comparative case studies between different regions and sectors.
Submission Information
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Key Dates
Closing date for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026
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