Over 80% of those people thinking about starting a new business should consider buying a franchise instead of starting a company from scratch, says former Dragons' Den panellist Rachel Elnaugh.
In analysis of the responses by wannabe small business owners to a questionnaire on her website, Elnaugh claimed that most new entrepreneurs would be suited to running a company with an already established brand.
She said although business reality televisions shows have encouraged more people to consider going it along, the entrepreneur, previously a panellist on BBC TV's Dragons' Den, said two thirds of start ups are statistically headed for failure within two years so franchising offers a better option.
Elnaugh added that data from her website also revealed the motivations behind people's desire to go into business.
"I'm a great believer that all types of people can and indeed do go into business and be a 'success' but individual motivation and definitions of success are extremely varied," she added.
Join our social media discussion group and share your Twitter username with other BusinessZone members. 
We're putting together a list of business owners' must-haves. 
Dragons' Den judges James Caan and Deborah Meaden and social entrepreneur Karen Darby are some of the successful entrepreneurs who feature in our exclusive videos.