Richard Branson Biography

Biography of Richard Branson

Richard-BransonRichard Branson is an entrepreneur and businessman, who founded the Virgin Group of more than 400 companies. The Virgin Group has grown to become a major multinational company with a small record shop established in 1972, with interest in transportation, media and entertainment. Richard Branson is also a flamboyant character and has participated in many deadly bold challenges, such as sailing across the Atlantic and participating in hot air balloon tour around the world.

"My general view of life is to enjoy every minute of every day. I never do anything, "God, I have got to do this today."

Richard Branson, The Guardian newspaper, September 20, 2008

Short Biography Richard Branson
Richard Branson was born on July 18, 1950 in Blackhead, London. His father was a barrister. Branson attended Skittlecliffe School and later Stove School. Suffering from dyslexia, Branson did not excel in studies; They were more interested in additional activities like football and cricket. At the age of 15, he started experimenting with his first commercial ventures, which included trying to grow trees and other emerging buzzers.

On one occasion, he was caught out of headmaster's bedroom and Branson was fired from school. With this she was devastated and wrote a suicide note, which states that she can not cope. When the note was discovered, it was forgiven; But in his studies, Branson left school at the age of 16 - a high school drop-out.

Virgin Records

After leaving Richard-Branson school, he moved back to London where he started his first successful business. He started a journal about youth culture, which is called The Student. It was produced by students, for students and was launched in 1966. Branson was able to attract the important advertising of the companies wishing to tap the market; It enabled them to distribute the first 50,000 copies for free.

In the 1960s in London, it was known as the 'swinging in the sixties' - Branson believes that he was living the life of a hippie, in a London comune - a large shared house, with music and age drugs Was surrounded. However, it may be hippie, but Branson also understood deep business, and he established a mail-order record company named Virgin to complement the student magazine. The Virgin name was suggested by a Branson worker - who suggested this idea because he was brand new to the business. Later, Branson said that he got out of the accident - not to earn money but rather to do things better than disappointment.

"I accidentally became an entrepreneur. Since I have been in business, not to make money, but because I think I can do it better than anywhere else. And, often, out of personal frustration about the way people did: (interview with Martin Lewis in his book, Thoughts on Success (1997)

With minimal profit from his journal and mail order business, he was able to get a record shop in Oxford Street, London. While highlighting other high street retailers, Virgin Records experienced a good growth. However, on one occasion, due to an unpaid tax bill, Branson's mother Eve had to mortgage her home again to help Branson get back.

As the record business expanded, Branson made its record label in 1972 with Nick Powell - Virgin Music. Within a year, Branson felt a great shock of fate. His first artist, Mike Oldfield, recorded the album 'Tubular Bells' and proved to be a smash hit by being in the charts for more than four years. This high profile and earnings helped Branson sign up some top bands of the era, including the culture club, rolling stones, genesis, and controversial bands such as sex pistols.

In 1984, Branson took part in his biggest trading venture - Virgin Atlantic Airways, and he started competing in the market of major national carriers such as British Airways. Many times this rivalry was intense, in which Virgin had charged clients of poaching on British Airways. Since 'dirty trick' was taken to the court, British Airways finally agreed to exit the court. However, in 1992, Branson had to sell Virgin Records for EMIs for £ 500m to help fight the struggling Virgin Atlantic area.

Other major business ventures of the Virgin Group include - Virgin Mobile in 1999 and entering British Railway with Virgin Trains in 1993. In 2007, they built Virgin Money. Less successful enterprises included Virgin Cola and Virgin Vodka. He also failed to win a contract to run the national lottery - even if he offered it for zero profit.

"My view is that if I have any money, then I invest it in new ventures and do not sit around it." (Interview, Sunday Times, January 16, 2000)

Richard Branson to cultivate a different approach to running a business.