Navigating the Entrepreneurial Transition of Car Owners into the Car Rental Business: A Multiple Case Study

This qualitative multiple case study aimed to describe the entrepreneurial transition of car owners into the car rental business in Kidapawan City. Five case units involving 15 participants were selected through maximum variation sampling, representing both owner-operators and consignees. Their experiences were explored using in-depth interviews and triangulated with accounts from people close to them. Data were analyzed through thematic and cross-case analysis. Four main themes emerged on their motivations: financial necessity and the strategy to sustain car ownership and earn extra income; opportunity recognition and social encouragement; personal and family-related needs and non-financial goals; and future intentions for business expansion and diversification. Five themes described their challenges and growth: financial burden and sustainability struggles, emotional and mental toll of risk, lifestyle adjustments and sacrifices, experiential learning and entrepreneurial growth, and resilience and adaptive practices sustained by partnerships, faith, and practical problem-solving. The cases were generally similar in using the car rental business as a means to stabilize finances while gradually developing entrepreneurial skills. The findings support the Push–Pull Theory and Effectuation Theory of entrepreneurship.