Early Life
Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950, in Blackheath, London, England. He is the son of Edward James Branson, a barrister, and Evette Huntley Branson, a ballet dancer and air hostess. Branson struggled with dyslexia in school and dropped out at 16.
Rise to Success
Branson started his entrepreneurial journey at 16, launching the magazine 'Student'. He then founded a mail-order record business and, in 1972, opened the first Virgin Records store. The Virgin brand grew rapidly, with Virgin Records signing major artists and becoming a leading independent label. In 1984, he founded Virgin Atlantic, disrupting the airline industry with a focus on customer experience.
Key Business Strategies
Branson is known for innovation, risk-taking, and challenging the status quo. He empowers employees and prioritizes customer satisfaction. His ventures span travel, entertainment, and space tourism. A key to his success is the Virgin brand, which he has turned into a recognizable global brand.
Philanthropy
Branson founded Virgin Unite in 2004, which supports entrepreneurial ideas for a better world. He is involved in climate change initiatives and the B Team.