Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

The U.K. by all measurements has had a tremendous entrepreneurial boom over the last 7 years. It now has over 4.3 million small businesses operating, up by half a million from seven years ago.

In an interesting report the Department of Trade and Industry said that contrary to statistics that are constantly quoted, the claim that 50 per cent of small businesses fail in the first year, is simply wrong; rather the figure is closer to 20 per cent.

Some of that credit goes to "various public and private sector organisations," according to an article in "The Independent." They go on to say that they "offer support to budding entrepreneurs, including financial help. Business development grants are available from sources including the Government, the European Union, regional development agencies, local Business Link offices, and several charities."

"For example, Enterprise for All is a new project part- funded by the City of London Corporation, which offers help to unemployed people keen to start their own businesses. As well as financial help, the idea is to offer training on the skills needed to set up and run a small business. The scheme, run by the East London Small Business Centre, has so far provided £150,000 of new funding to start-ups."

Claire Knapp, a recipient of aid had this to say about what has helped her succeed "It's a combination of my beliefs and the modern world," she said. "I love the flexibility of the internet, even though I'm here by myself working away."

Her tip for would-be entrepreneurs is to stick with it. "I did lose money on my first job, but I've tried to stay positive," she says. "Being in charge can be scary, when you know you have to pay your mortgage, for example, but it's also liberating to be doing something you're really passionate about."

This is one of the reasons so many business leaders always encourage you to be passionate and enjoy what it is you're doing. The road is hard on the journey to business success and loving what you do helps you to keep on with it when things get tough.