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Pin ups and pop stars become business icons

Celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Katie Price have featured on a new list of the most inspiring celebrity entrepreneurs. The late Anita Roddick and JK Rowling topped the recent poll, closely followed by Margaret Thatcher, Jacqueline Gold of Ann Summers fame and Martha Lane Fox.

The research, carried out by NatWest and women’s business support group everywoman, quizzed successful female entrepreneurs about role models and influences for women who want to run their own business.

86% of participants in the survey agreed that celebrity entrepreneurs play a positive role in encouraging women to set up businesses. The under 25s were three times more likely to be influenced by celebrity entrepreneurs over traditional role models (38% v 11%).

Although 76% of women agreed that celebrity entrepreneurs make the idea of starting out in business more accessible, 70% still believe that there remains a lack of inspiring role models for women in business.

Karen Gill, co-founder of everywoman, said: “Small businesses have been boosted by programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den alongside household names such as Anita Roddick and Martha Lane Fox, bringing entrepreneurs to the attention of the broader public.”

Steve Pateman, Chief Executive of NatWest Business Banking, said, “As the profile of celebrity businesswomen becomes higher and their businesses more successful in the public eye, it is likely that an increasing number of female entrepreneurs will be inspired to follow their lead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .