This study examines the role of entrepreneurial intentions and motivations in the interplay between collectivistic personal values and self-employment career options. Our analysis of a sample of individuals throughout two different points in time uncovers how and when collectivistic personal values (i.e., conservation and self-transcendence) lead to self-employment. Results suggest that entrepreneurial intentions function as a mechanism that triggers self-employment decisions for individuals with collectivistic personal values and that this effect is stronger when they engage in opportunity-based entrepreneurship. We conclude by discussing the implications of our results on the entrepreneurship literature and the values - intention - action links.