How do entrepreneurial ventures become and remain meaningful in the markets where they compete? My research examines how the answer to this question can differ depending on the stage of the market, competitive landscape, and the tools new ventures can use to make space for themselves in their markets and influence audiences. The bulk of my research lies in this stream and considers market factors related to favorable (or potentially challenging) entrepreneurial environments, often considering process-related questions and the inherent temporal components and implications related to market dynamics Theoretically, I am interested in the socio-cognitive mechanisms that explain these dynamics and primarily examine them through the lenses of exemplar and categorization theories, integrating work on cultural entrepreneurship and legitimate distinctiveness. Empirically, I aim to develop a rich and multi-faceted understanding of these dynamics, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented when entrepreneurs and their ventures are considered within their broader markets. I typically create robust datasets from both hand-collected data (e.g., observational and/or interactive field data, interview data, etc.) and data from external sources (e.g., website text, policy or legal statements and briefs, newspaper and blog articles, etc.) and use qualitative methods as my primary mode of analysis.

My secondary stream of research considers more micro questions surrounding entrepreneurship—especially how entrepreneurs can effectively use easily-accessible tools to position themselves in the minds of audiences and manage entrepreneurial stress.

In conclusion, my research activities are motivated by a desire to better understand how market dynamics impact entrepreneurs, their organizations, and their audiences. Within the broader heading of entrepreneurship, I think about the interrelatedness of cognitive processes (such as identity formation, image creation, and decision-making) with environmental factors (e.g., cultural pressures, market shifts, and novel contexts) to better understand, explain, and contribute to ongoing inquiries into complex, multi-level problems.