Abstract
Based on the understanding that every vendor is an independent agent with unique interests and values, this study explores the meaning of success and failure for street food vendors. Twenty-five online unstructured in-terviews with active and former street food vendors were conducted. Thematic analysis was utilised to identify various definitions of success and failure. In this modern society, capitalism has had a strong influence on how entrepreneurs view success and failure. However, this study found that the meaning of success and failure for street food vendors can be individually specific and complex. The definition of success for street food vendors includes better quality of life, business growth, and altruistic goals. In comparison, street food vendors defined failure as business failure and personal economic failure. These definitions should be seen as interrelated con-cepts, with vendors having multiple perceptions of success and failure.