Real freelance life not reflected by TV entrepreneurs

As part of their research they conducted a survey of business owners, freelancers and advisers and found that the media doesn't portray the challenges that small businesses face.

In fact in the UK Business Barometer survey, a mere 11% of respondents felt that their experiences were accurately reported. Whilst the UK Business Advisers Barometer survey showed that only a fifth of the respondents agreed that the media image was accurate and a further 35% said their experiences were not reflected at all.

Over 75% of respondents in both surveys felt that the way the media portrays 'celebrity entrepreneurs' gave a distorted picture of entrepreneurs as a whole.

More than 70% of those surveyed felt that business advisers should work in conjunction with the media to ensure that a more accurate picture is painted of small businesses. Celebrity entrepreneurs do have a role to play, however, especially with people in the under 16 age bracket. One business adviser felt they had a positive impact on that age group.

Professor Martin Binks, from Nottingham University, believes that the responses prove that it is hard for people to find accurate information about entrepreneurship.

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