This teaching case presents a real-life example of migrant-led entrepreneurship contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It follows the entrepreneurial journey of Ms. , a Pakistani mother of three and Human Resource Management student who migrated to Lithuania to pursue higher education and subsequently established Dhaba & Delights in 2024. Recognising the scarcity of authentic halal food and culturally inclusive dining spaces, she developed the venture as a socially embedded enterprise that connects local communities, migrants, and international students through food and shared social experiences.
The case illustrates how entrepreneurship can serve as a mechanism for promoting social inclusion, fostering intercultural dialogue, and building community in increasingly diverse European societies. It highlights how everyday business practices, such as fair employment, cultural representation, and customer engagement, can operationalise DEI in resource-constrained SME contexts without reliance on formalised policies.
The narrative also foregrounds resilience and values-based leadership. Shumaila’s entrepreneurial journey includes navigating financial constraints, the dissolution of a business partnership during the winter off-season, and significant care-related responsibilities. These challenges demonstrate how structural barriers and personal circumstances intersect to shape entrepreneurial decision-making and leadership in migrant-led ventures.
Developed as a teaching and learning resource, this case supports education and training in entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics, and DEI. It encourages learners to critically assess inclusive entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, and the balance between cultural authenticity and business sustainability. The case contributes to EU policy discussions on inclusive economic development and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). It is intended for use by educators, students, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to promote inclusive, socially sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Key words: diversity, equity, inclusion, migrant entrepreneurship, inclusive entrepreneurship, intersectionality, social integration, resilience, SMEs, halal food sector
This case contributes to EU policy discussions on inclusive economic development and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
When sharing with learners or colleagues, please use the reference:
- Arif, S., & Butkevičienė, J. (2026). Resilience on the Menu: A Migrant Woman's Path to Inclusive Entrepreneurship. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18154009