The Emergence of Entrepreneurship in Cuba: What Can We Learn

Entrepreneurs around the world would agree that being an entrepreneur provides a gateway to flexibility and freedom and it requires an enormous amount of responsibility and commitment. When Raul Castro announced that Cubans could officially run their own business, it created a means for Cuba's citizens to have choices. This article provides an overview of Cuba's emerging entrepreneurs and how their endeavors are stimulating the formation of a middle class. Driven by economic liberalization, the Cuban entrepreneur and Cuban consumer are able to aspire for goods and services that were not attainable between 1959 and 2008. This study provides an overview about the motivating and personal characteristics of Cuba's entrepreneurs. The importance of this group on the formation of Cuba's middle class is addressed. Our findings indicate what can be done to provide continued support to this group so that the middle class of Cuba continues to grow.