Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He founded the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies.
The first thing to look for when searching for a great employee is somebody with a personality that fits with your company culture. Most skills can be learned, but it is difficult to train people on their personality. If you can find people who are fun, friendly, caring and love helping others, you are on to a winner.
Of course, a lot of businesses want to reach students, so I funded the magazine by selling advertising. I sold something like $8,000 worth of advertising for the first edition, and that was in 1966. I printed up 50,000 copies, and I didn't even have to charge for them on the newsstand because my costs were already covered.
Not enough people realize the satisfaction you can get from really pushing yourself to the limits.
I was born under a lucky star, and I have nothing whatsoever to regret. I wouldn't change a thing about my life.
I never went into business just to make money - but I found that if I have fun, the money will come. I often ask myself, is my work fun and does it make me happy? I believe that the answer to that is more important than fame or fortune. If it stops being fun, I ask why? If I can't fix it, I stop doing it.
One key to entrepreneurial success is to get a great group of people around you who believe in your idea.
My philosophy is that if I have any money I invest it in new ventures and not have it sitting around.
First and foremost, any business proposal I like must sound fun.
There is no such thing as a boring person: everyone has stories and insights worth sharing. While on the road, we let our phones or laptops take up our attention. By doing that, we might miss out on the chance to learn and absorb ideas and inspiration from an unexpected source: our fellow travelers.
Most of our businesses do succeed, but if something completely fails, then as long as we bow out gracefully and pay off all our debts, and nobody gets hurt, then I don't think people disrespect Virgin for trying. The public appreciates someone having a go; it appreciates the attempt. Who's been a success in life who hasn't failed?
Follow your instincts and live with the consequences.
To stand still today is to go backwards. . . and quickly. . . !
In Africa, villagers look up to elders; they are the moral voice of their community.
Growth does not always lead a business to build on success. All too often it converts a highly successful business into a mediocre large business.
I think that not relying too heavily on one bank and one bank manager is a good rule to learn.
I like to take chances on people, and whenever possible, promote from within - it sends a great message to everyone in the company when someone demonstrates a passion for the job and leadership skills at every step along the way and is rewarded with a leadership role.
Most entrepreneurs will admit luck plays a part in success.
There are quite a few things I've done that even I thought might have been one step too far. But if you are willing to make a fool of yourself and make people smile, as long as you do it with a sense of fun, you can get away with it.
Most people assume that a record shop's success lies in selling records. In fact, Virgin's success both in mail order and the record shops lay in skill at buying records.
I know enough to know that no man is an island.