Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an iconic entrepreneur and investor, who created a wide range of businesses centered on the Virgin brand. He is the founder of the Virgin Group, which is made up of more than 400 companies in multiple industries, such as travel, leisure, media, finance, and health. The first Virgin Group business venture that Branson started was a mail-order record shop in 1970. This venture grew to become a chain of stores and was the foundation of the larger Virgin Group.

Branson was born in 1950 in Surrey, England. He started his entrepreneurial journey at a very young age of 16. He dropped out of school and started a magazine called Student in 1968. While he was running the magazine, he saw an opportunity in the mail-order record business. This was the first business he started with a loan from his family. He used his magazine to spread the word about his business and eventually, this venture grew to be a success.

Over the next few years, Branson diversified his Virgin Group’s business portfolio. He headed up the airline industry when he established his own airline, Virgin Atlantic, in the 1980s. The Virgin Group has since gone on to launch a number of other companies in different industries such as health and wellness, finance, mobile communication and entertainment.

Throughout his career, Branson has been committed to changing the world by improving the lives of individuals and tackling critical issues such as climate change. He is an active philanthropist and environmental activist. Branson is the founder of The Virgin Earth Challenge, a £10 million environmental competition. He has also been outspoken on many social issues such as animal rights and gender inequality.

Branson has authored a number of books on business, investing and public policy. His book ‘Losing My Virginity: The Autobiography of Richard Branson’ is a best-selling autobiography that shares his experiences as an entrepreneur. The book is a great read for anyone interested in learning more about the early days of the Virgin Group and the life lessons that shaped Branson’s business philosophy. ‘Reach for the Skies: Business Lessons from Virgin’s Conqueror of the World’ is another book from Branson that provides readers with valuable tips on how to succeed in business.

Branson's accomplishments and his never-ending drive for success make him a truly inspirational individual. He is a great example of what can be achieved when one is willing to work hard and take risks. His books are a great way to learn more about his journey and life lessons that can be applied to today’s business world.