Work and life harmony: An exploratory case study of entrePinays

This study aims to explore how Filipina entrepreneurs (EntrePinays) harmonize their work demands with their family responsibilities and personal needs in order to sustain their business and at the same time live a meaningful and happy life. As an exploratory study utilizing nine participants, the case study approach based on the multiple case dimensions was used. Findings revealed that there are positive and negative spillover effects of work-life relationships. The negative spillover induces stress among the EntrePinays and the positive spillover can lead to their high levels of life satisfaction. Results also showed that EntrePinays are able to harmonize their work and life through various strategies such as personal planning with proper time management, having a flexible work schedule and workload, and delegating routine jobs to trusted employees, usually a family member. Moreover, the extent of spouse support for married entrepreneurs or the degree of support of the family members for non-business work responsibilities and activities has a crucial impact on the extent to which EntrePinays are able to balance their work and family demands. © 2013 De La Salle University, Philippines