2013 has been filled with media and government talk and exhortation of starting up in business. There is almost no mention of the risks, or the failure rate of the majority!

The government offers support. Having got rid of the Business Links structure, they now offer mentors. Let's hope it's not the same 'experts' who were extensively used by the Business Links, and the 'TEC's (Training & Enterprise Councils} before them.

Will these mentors be more successful than the Small Business Service, again operated by Civil Servants, with 'experts' seconded in?

Until people who have actually been in business and understand the environment are used to advise others, the advice will be academic and incorrect.