FROM BUSINESS DISASTER TO PROFESSIONAL BREAKTHROUGH: THE COPING MECHANISMS OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS, A PHENOMENOLOGY

Background: Some businesses, compared to million-dollar enterprises, fail to make an impact. As a result, some entrepreneurs resort to closing their businesses. To excel in their professions, they need to cope with business losses. Method: This paper used a phenomenological design to understand the participants lived experiences, particularly Filipino migrant workers who have experienced business loss, relative to the central question, How do Filipino professionals cope with business loss? Findings: Filipinos displaying entrepreneurial characteristics (business mindedness, profit orientation, future planning) have desires to raise enterprises. However, entrepreneurial trials (e.g. management issues, competition issues, financial burdens) will be faced, which result in business losses. They coped with losses through entrepreneurial solutions, specifically career motivation and family motivation. Conclusion: Maintaining an enterpriseis never easy as it requires sacrifices, time, and especially money. Business disasters come with overwhelming consequences and complications. Nevertheless, after facing different challenges of experiencing business loss, former entrepreneurs can achieve breakthroughs. This research aims to help future entrepreneurs cope with predicted business losses. Recommendation: The researchers recommend considering other coping mechanisms to explore other options for future entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it is also recommended to focus on one business nature and one employment sector to achieve more specific findings.