Noor Faizah Mohd Lajin, Hardy Loh Rahim, Rohana Ngah, Mohd Ali Bahari Abdul Kadir
This study examines how specific personality traits can help urban poor entrepreneurs in Malaysia establish successful businesses and overcome poverty. Urban poverty is a growing issue in Malaysia, affecting over a million people. Many in the B40 income group have turned to entrepreneurship as a means of making a living, especially when job opportunities are scarce. However, many are struggling to sustain their businesses due to a lack of skills, limited access to resources, and a challenging economic environment. Government programmes, such as microcredit, training, and financial support, have been introduced to help, and these have had some positive impacts. However, many businesses still fail to survive in the long term. One reason is that many policies focus mainly on financial support and forget an essential factor: the role of entrepreneurs’ personal traits. Characteristics such as resilience, self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to take calculated risks are critical in helping entrepreneurs adapt, overcome setbacks, and build sustainable businesses. The literature shows that these traits play a vital role in shaping how urban poor entrepreneurs respond to opportunities and challenges. An entrepreneur with high self-efficacy, creativity, and proactiveness is more likely to build a successful and resilient business, even in the face of scarce resources and challenging conditions. This paper argues that while financial and institutional support are essential, entrepreneurship policies must also focus on nurturing these vital traits. Helping urban poor entrepreneurs build resilience, confidence, and creativity can make a significant difference in their ability to turn adversity into long-term economic opportunity. Reducing urban poverty in Malaysia requires a balanced approach that combines financial aid, training, and mentoring with efforts to build the psychological strengths that enable entrepreneurs to thrive. By focusing on both external and internal factors, Malaysia can create a more inclusive and sustainable pathway out of poverty for its urban poor communities.