This article investigates the transformative impact of motherhood on women's entrepreneurship. Motherhood is conceptualized as an existential liminal experience, prompting women to reassess their priorities and experiment with new approaches to work and life. Through in-depth interviews with 21 mother entrepreneurs in Denmark, this study examines how different phases of motherhood shape entrepreneurial identities and approaches. The findings reveal, firstly, the varied entrepreneurial conditions presented by different phases of the motherhood journey, including pre-birth, maternity leave, early motherhood, and late motherhood. Secondly, the study identifies distinct identity transition trajectories for women who became mothers first and those who became entrepreneurs first. Lastly, it highlights the strong two-way interaction between maternal and entrepreneurial roles and identities. In summary, the existential liminality of motherhood can lead to both tensions and opportunities, ultimately fostering a more holistic and impactful approach to entrepreneurship. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of women’s identity transitions across professional and personal domains by introducing a new perspective from an entrepreneurial context, where women undertake identity pivots rather than identity integration. Additionally, it enriches the scholarship on women’s entrepreneurship by recognizing the profound influence of motherhood on women’s entrepreneurial motivations, identities, and approaches.
