This study aims to interpret the meaning of a successful entrepreneur from the perspective of women entrepreneurs in Malang, Indonesia. This research offers a phenomenological approach using purposive sampling. Data was collected by in-depth interviews using structured questionnaire with registered women entrepreneurs in Malang obtained from MSMEs (micro small and medium-sized enterprises) entrepreneurs. The ‘continually developing’ is one of the meanings of a successful entrepreneur. This study also found that success is when what women do can be useful to others. Besides, the meaning of success has two criteria, i.e., when they can meet their needs (individual satisfaction) and social performance as a goal to be achieved by entrepreneurs. The motivation of women entrepreneurs to establish their venture was not only financial returns, but also personal satisfaction, which was also the indicator of entrepreneurial success for women. This study has several limitations. First, our sample size is too small and consists of entrepreneurs that have an average age above 40 years. Hopefully, further research will be able to generalize our findings to a broader sample in various industries outside the city of Malang. As our research shows, the criteria and meaning of success may be different for a larger sample of entrepreneurs.

The study aims to analyze the adaptation strategies and resilience of tobacco farmers to face unfavorable trading system. The research method refers to a qualitative approach with phenomenological models and case studies. The findings revealed tobacco farmers in Jember developed various adaptation strategies and resilience through farmer group organizations, partnerships, self-capacity building and access to financial institutions based on economic, social, cultural, and experience values from various sources and interactions among fellow tobacco farmers. The tobacco trading system, which is left to the market mechanism, results in low bargaining power of farmers, this encourages tobacco farmers to develop various adaptation and survival strategies, namely through collective activities of farmer groups, partnerships and self-development and access to financial institutions. Dealing with the unfavorable tobacco trading system, tobacco farmers do not switch to other commodity farming but adapt and make Jember a center for tobacco production in East Java and Indonesia. From this findings, it suggests to the government as the regulator does not only provide subsidies for tobacco farmers, but also must provide various technical assistance to increase the ability of tobacco farmers. More importantly, regulations must be made benefit tobacco farmers other than corporations so that equality can be enjoyed by tobacco economy players.