In many rural communities, employment in the natural resource-based sectors isdeclining. In response, individuals and communities are examining the potential ofentrepreneurship to support economic development. However, little is known aboutthese entrepreneurs who operate in often constrained environments. By understandingthis, place-specific programs can be developed that support and sustain them. Thispaper contributes to this discussion with research focused on a rural and remoteBritish Columbia region. The survey results suggest that individuals often startbusinesses for lifestyle reasons and continue to operate them even when financiallymarginal. Further, despite perceptions that the rural environment is hostile,entrepreneurial opportunities and resources exist and support local communityeconomic development. Communities, governments, and other support organizationscan use these results to develop site- and context-specific policies and programs.

1. descriptive metadata
2. digital curation
3. digital exhibit
4. digital humanities
5. digital pedagogy
6. GLAM institutions

Original publication: Lynne Siemens (2014) “We moved here for the lifestyle”: A picture ofentrepreneurship in rural British Columbia, Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 27:2,121-142, DOI: 10.1080/08276331.2014.965474