Abstract

This study is an investigation of the bright and dark sides of entrepreneurship, with a focus on well-being experienced by entrepreneurs operating in work communities of various sizes. The results show that a central element in the well-being experiences of all entrepreneur groups was autonomy. In addition, the solo entrepreneurs derived a positive experience from their professional capabilities, while micro and small business entrepreneurs emphasized business success. Significant differences in well-being experiences were linked to the entrepreneurs’ social support networks and their capacities for health management. Of the entrepreneur groups, the micro business entrepreneurs were most stressed, while the small business entrepreneurs were the only group capable of taking care of both the firm’s business planning and their personal well-being. This paper complements the existing literature by examining the benefits of entrepreneurship, but it also covers the negative aspects of it, thereby enriching the existing theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial well-being.