As well as providing the product or service at the core of their business, entrepreneurs are likely to spend a lot of time on other tasks including business research, finding finance, finding suppliers and negotiating prices, sales and marketing, customer relations, staffing issues and training and development.

The government sees enterprise as the key to the UK's future economic growth and success in today's global market and therefore sees supporting enterprise as a priority. Starting up in business is a complicated and, in many cases, expensive procedure. Organisations throughout the UK are available to provide advice. Instead of starting a business from scratch it may be possible to buy an existing business or a franchise.
It is possible to become an entrepreneur without formal qualifications, but having education or training relevant to the business may be an important factor in an entrepreneur's success. Some people start their own business straight from school or college, but many others work for an employer before setting up on their own. There are a number of organisations that run programmes for young people designed to give them valuable business skills. These include Young Enterprise and The Prince's Trust.
Training in business skills is offered by organisations such as Learndirect Business. Business advisers can give practical advice on a wide range of issues. Entrepreneurs must also keep up to date with new developments in their field.
Entrepreneurs progress by growing their businesses, usually by finding new customers or increasing the range of products and services they offer. Networking with other entrepreneurs can be a good way of discussing ideas and finding new opportunities. Increasing the size of the business often means that more time is spent on management and business development tasks.

* have a good business idea
* be self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic
* understand your customers' needs.

Have a good business idea