Setting up and running a business can be a daunting prospect, and it is a lot of hard work. But it is also one of the most rewarding things that you can do and can be one of the most positive changes someone can make for themselves and the community they live in.

In a society dominated by celebrity culture, celebrity entrepreneurs have emerged as inspirational figures. But we at the FSB believe that anyone who has a good idea and takes a risk to put it into practice and grow a business is an entrepreneur. The vast majority will never be celebrities, but they still enrich the lives of themselves and those around them.

These are the people that we champion – the Real Life Entrepreneurs.

And with economic growth having stalled and the Government looking to the private sector to put the economy back onto firm ground, we believe that it is now time that the UK's 4.8 million Real-Life Entrepreneurs™ step forward.

The FSB represents Real-Life Entrepreneurs across every sector of the economy and every section of society. The FSB's Real-Life Entrepreneur manifesto sets out some of the measures that we can all take to remove the burdens small firms face setting up and growing their business.

Read the FSB's Real Life Entrepreneurs Manifesto 

"My name is Brett, I run Outsource Ten Ltd in Manchester and I'm a Real-Life Entrepreneur!

After spending seventeen years in employment, I realised that if I truly wanted complete control over my future I had to become my own boss. Now I'm planning my first international outsource marketing expansion programme. Although helpful, I found that my past experience was not the defining factor when starting up, my personal drive and commitment helped to shape my company. For entrepreneurs the important part of the deal is not how big their business ends up but the effect it has on their lives. I believe that the youth of today should be encouraged to take on the responsibility and reward of becoming Young Entrepreneurs." Full profile.

"My name is Dawn, I run the Worsley Laser Clinic and I'm a Real-Life Entrepreneur!

I have worked within the beauty industry for over 12 years now, I have always worked for someone else but this year I decided to open my own Medi Spa . . . taking this step was terrifying!! I have done it all before for other people but when it came to doing it for myself it seemed as if all the ‘little bits' where the hardest. I eventually worked my way through the necessities of setting up the business and then I found out about FSB. I wish I had found them BEFORE I set up the business, but at least I have them now, I feel like I'm not alone!"