NFEA: Anyone can be an entrepreneur

Date: 2nd April 2008

Reality television programmes such as the Apprentice and Dragons Den prove that "all types of people" can start their own business, according to the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA).

George Derbyshire, chef executive of the organisation, claims that entrepreneur-based television shows have helped to increase confidence and "demonstrate that the opportunities are there" for people who have bags of ambition and the right ideas.

"There's a generally favourable economic climate so people are confident and more people than ever have got the resources to contemplate starting a business," he commented.

Mr Derbyshire adds that people have become increasingly aware of the benefits of starting their own enterprise and of the variety of business options available to them.

Research published by Barclays earlier this month, revealed that 471,000 people started their own businesses over the last year, the highest number since start-up records began in 1988.