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Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 34 No. S2 2016

Serial Entrepreneurship: Learning by Doing?

Francine Lafontaine1; Kathryn Shaw2

1 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor · 2 Stanford University

Abstract

Among typical entrepreneurs, is serial entrepreneurship common? Is the serial entrepreneur more likely to succeed? If so, why? These questions are addressed using data on all establishments started between 1990 and 2011 to sell retail goods and services in Texas. An entrepreneur is the owner of a new business. A serial entrepreneur is one who opens repeat businesses. We find that 25.6% of businesses are operated by serial entrepreneurs. These are the more successful businesses: prior business experience increases the longevity of the next business opened. Results with owner fixed effects suggest that past experience imparts valuable business skills.

DOI
10.1086/683820
Volume
34
Issue
S2
Pages
S217-S254
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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