Socioeconomic Characterization Of Subsistence Enterprises In The District Of Santa Marta

The purpose of this research is to characterize subsistence enterprises in the District of Santa Marta, in its socioeconomic aspect. In Colombia, 78.8% of entrepreneurs stated that one of the reasons for starting a business is “to earn a living because work is scarce”, that is, a large number of businesses in Colombia arise in response to latent needs in people and families. In the Department of Magdalena, 98.4% of companies are microenterprises, which are characterized by having low levels of liquidity and a financial structure largely dependent on day-to-day sales.

Methodology: The project proposes a mixed approach, through the collection of primary and secondary data that provide specific and relevant information to identify cases of subsistence entrepreneurship, taking into account the measurement of quantitative and qualitative variables aimed at describing, understanding and comprehending the real environment of subsistence entrepreneurship with a sample of 20 entrepreneurs in the Santa Marta District of the Department of Magdalena.

Results: The entrepreneurs are located in the micro-entrepreneur sector, 40% are legalized as natural persons and the remaining 60% are merchants who are not legalized. 100% are family businesses and 80% carry out their commercial activity in their place of residence. 65% have secondary education and 55% have completed a professional career. The main source of financing for the ventures is their own capital.