Triggers entrepreneurship among creative consumers

While entrepreneurship has received much attention, little research has focused on end user entrepreneurship, which refers to entrepreneurship by consumers who develop innovative solutions that better answer their daily personal needs. This exploratory research aims to provide a deeper understanding of what motivates end user entrepreneurs to found firms. Based on a qualitative study conducted among 20 end user entrepreneurs, our data suggest that three significant factors may lead consumers to switch to an entrepreneur role: (1) intrinsic motivations - passion, enjoyment and the willingness to help others - rather than extrinsic ones - rational search for profit and search for recognition; (2) the lack of alternative ways to diffuse their innovations in the market; (3) favorable life periods with minimum implied risk to their professional activity. This paper contributes to both user innovation and user entrepreneurship literature by extending academic knowledge and provides opportunities for further research.