Crafting Success: A Qualitative Exploration of Women Entrepreneurs in Greece’s Silversmithing and Goldsmithing Sector

This paper explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Greece’s silversmithing and goldsmithing sector through a qualitative country-perspective approach. Drawing on six in-depth interviews conducted in the Attica region, the study investigates the motivations, challenges, and meanings of entrepreneurial success among women operating in this traditional craft industry. The findings reveal diverse routes into entrepreneurship, shaped by family history, artistic passion, and the need for economic independence. Participants developed their businesses through self-taught technical skills, informal networks, and additional learning, while overcoming significant barriers such as financial constraints and market uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the women define success in personal rather than purely economic terms, emphasizing autonomy, creativity, customer relationships, and the ability to sustain their craft. The study contributes to understanding women’s entrepreneurship in Greece by highlighting the cultural and sectoral context of small artisan enterprises.