In this study, we explore the dual role of family support as both an enabler and constraint in female entrepreneurship. Based on 51 in-depth interviews with 20 female-led businesses in Ethiopia, we introduce the concept of the “family support paradox”, which captures how family support can simultaneously facilitate and hinder entrepreneurial activities. We show how female entrepreneurs navigate the tensions arising from this paradox, providing a nuanced view on the various implications of family support in female entrepreneurship. Our study enriches the female entrepreneurship literature by bridging research on family support and gender dynamics in entrepreneurship. Moreover, we extend the understanding of paradoxical relationships in entrepreneurship.
