Money Moguls

Richard Brandson is an English entrepreneur, known for his Virgin branding.

Branson is quite a character too. I saw him in many interviews and was very impressed with his personality. He’s a billionaire but still a “real” person. He has a good sense of humor and is very warm and friendly. I admire him for his accomplishments and charity work. He’s one extremely successful person with a sense of adventure. Bravo Mr. Branson!

Richard Branson born in 1950, was educated at Stowe School in Buckingham, UK. His first success was a magazine publishing, called “Student”. He was an entrepreneur from the start.

Branson setup a mail order business distributing records. He purchased records in bulk from a discounter. He then sold them to retail outlets in London. Virgin was the ideal marketing label since his records were new unlike others that were handled and listened to. Branson later opened a record shop in London and then launched “Virgin Records” with partner Nik Powell. This venture enabled him to open a recording studio.

Virgin Records’ first release was “Tubular Bells” from Mike Oldfield. Other record companies were reluctant to sign Oldfield because his song, “Tubular Bells” had no lyrics. It became a smash hit, selling over 5 million copies. Virgin Records hit the Big Time. They later signed huge stars such as The Sex Pistols, Culture Club, Belinda Carlisle, Genesis, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson and The Rolling Stones.

The Virgin Group expanded into international music Megastores, air travel, mobile, financial, retail, music, internet, drinks, rail, hotels and leisure, with around 200 companies in over 30 countries.

Branson’s Virgin Group Portfolio

• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Virgin Mobil
• Virgin Blue
• Virgin Trains
• Virgin Express
• Virgin Cola
• Virgin Vodka
• Virgin Galactic
• Virgin Fuels
• Virgin Comics
• Virgin Health Bank

Virgin Atlantic Airways is the second largest British international airline. It operates a fleet of Boeing 747’s and Airbus A340’s to New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Delhi, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Shanghai and the Caribbean. The airline’s concept is to offer a competitive yet high quality Upper Class, Premium Economy and Economy service. Virgin Atlantic Airways has won many major awards, including Airline of the Year Award several times.

Branson seems to do everything “First Class”.

Personal World Record Attempts

• Cross Atlantic Ocean in the fastest recorded time
• Cross Atlantic Ocean in hot-air balloon
• Cross Pacific Ocean in hot-air balloon

Richard Branson has also appeared in many TV show and movies. He’s at home in the office (which is his home) or in front of a camera.

Branson currently lives in a breath-taking house on his own 74 acre island, one of the British Virgin Islands valued at $150 million.

Visit Virgin.com to read more.