ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a representative profile of Brazilian female entrepreneurs in Massachusetts and California, as well some insights into the characteristics of their businesses. According to figures from the American Community Survey of 2008, in Massachusetts, 26 percent of all Brazilian immigrant females in the labor force were self-employed and in California the equivalent figure was 34 percent. In order to explore and illustrate the social and business profiles of Brazilian female entrepreneurs (BFE) in the US the authors interviewed 10 women originating from different cities in Brazil. This research was conducted in the cities of San Diego, California, and of Boston, Framingham, Newton, Hudson, Somerville, and East Taunton in Massachusetts. Besides aiming to obtain information about the immigration, demographic, and social background of the women, the interviews also sought to elicit their feelings and opinions about their immigration and entrepreneurial experience.
