In this paper, we analyse the experiences of women who have founded and grown successful ventures in an adverse context, that of the West Bank in Palestine. Theoretically, we draw upon intersectionality and household dynamics to illustrate how advantageous social positioning, in conjunction with support from key household members, melds to enable ambitious women entrepreneurs to pursue venture growth in a politically unstable region and culturally conservative environment. Drawing upon in depth case studies of women entrepreneurs and their household members, we illustrate how those from relatively wealthy, socially liberal backgrounds can realise entrepreneurial ambitions using privilege and class resources to create scalable ventures which generate wealth and employment despite political and socio-economic disruption. We use this analysis to challenge neo-colonial Western-centric notions that homogenise Arab women in the Middle East as subject to shared conservative gendered regimes which deny agency.
