The Times “2022 UK Rich List” page 3, with an overall worth of £4.2 billion, up 1 placing and with a + 410 million on last year’s reports, we find “Doctor Yes”. London born, blond and fuzzy hairdo, flamboyant, eclectic, always donning a wide smile, eternally in and out of trouble, making headlines for over two decades whenever he moves or speaks. Boris Johnson? Wrong. We are talking about the self made millionaire, Sir Richard Branson. Branson, the man of many virtues (and many endeavours). The man that makes us fly above the oceans, keeps us in shape, takes care of us, the man that “never says no”, that unites us, the man that gave us an alternative to Coca Cola and a radio station really worth listening to, and above all now, the man that wants to take us to the moon.
RICHARD BRANSON
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Millions
"Even if I have no idea where I'm going or how to get there, I prefer to say yes instead of no"
*(Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Active, Virgin Care, Virgin Unite, Virgin Cola, Virgin Music, Virgin Galactic)
Not Another Ordinary Millionaire’s Story The Wunderkid 1969. Neal Armstrong is taking his “one small step for man, but giant leap for mankind” as he was planting the “stars and stripes” flags on the lunar surface for the first time in history. Meanwhile, a 16 year old Richard Branson was launching his first venture, not knowing that some fifty years later he would be travelling to outer space too. While most of his school mates were “chasing” girls, Branson was chasing dreams.
The 1970s The population of the world has grown to reach 4 billion people by now. It is the fun era of Disco music, of mini skirts and bell bottoms, of colour and of the flower power revolution, of free love and overall of a much needed cultural revolution. But also, it is the years of the economic struggle, of the end of the 20 year Vietnam war, of Richard Nixon’s resignations as United States President after implications in the Watergate scandal. It is the decade of technological advancement and of future billionaires Bill Gates founds Microsoft; Steve Jobs creates Apple, and across the “pond” Richard Branson is expanding his Virgin brand. From one record store in Oxfordshire to the global Virgin empire. One record store quickly turned into two and two then turned into fourteen. The company is taking off and money starts pouring in. A very young Richard Branson, of not so humble beginnings, son of barrister Edward James, and ballet dancer turned air hostess, Eve, earns his first million dollars. The 23 year old made is first million by managing to sign up to Virgin Records, in “The Manor” recording studio, what are now some of the biggest (and most controversial) names in music. Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osborne, Sex Pistols, The Smashing Pumpkins and more.
.
Teenager and entrepreneur to be Richard, founded a magazine he called Student. The magazine featured interviews with famous people and brought in approximately £6,000 in advertising revenue for the first issue alone. Times seemed right and so the young man from the Lewisham borough (in south east London) decided to devote his full time to promoting his new endeavour rather than attending school in hindsight, this was probably the best decision he could have made for himself.
The new company that Branson and his group of twenty employees started was named Virgin
“I Never Thought My Life Would Go in This Direction” Like a Virgin Touched by the Very First Million Dollar
However, it was mainly thanks to progressive rock and folk UK artist Mike Oldfield with his record “Tubular Bells”, which sold over 5 million copies, that Branson’s Virgin record label started acquiring fame and becoming “the” household name in the industry.
“If Your Dreams Don’t Scare You, They Are Too Small”
After the initial success of Student, and guided by his passion for music, the blond prodigy launched a small record business and initially based it out of the magazine’s office as his primary trade space.
Splashing the Cash 40 Virgin Companies in 35 Countries
Branson states in his memoir "Losing My Virginity" that he and Nik Powell (his original business partner and co founder of the Virgin Group) were "virgins in the business" when they established their first firm together, which again was in the shape of a single record shop. The name, which is a comical acknowledgment of the men's inexperience when they were first starting their company, was the start of a big success story. Over 40 companies in over 35 countries around the world. In the 80s and 90s, as the world was taking a more modern shape and mainstream technology was starting to creep into our everyday life the Virgin Group was expanding its fields of businesses and
Branson's lawsuit against British Airways for libel was successful, and in 1993 a judge ordered that BA pay Richard and his company, Virgin 1 million dollars in damages, in addition to legal fees estimated to be approximately $3 million, and that they issue a public apology.
His property portfolio (as his fortune) has become staggering over the years. Wild and unspoiled islands in the Caribbean’s crystal clear Ocean, exotic and stunning retreats and residences in Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Spain. Luxurious and cosy mountain cabins in the Swiss Alps, and of course, like any A lister whose name is worth mentioning, an opulent villa in Italy’s favourite lake destination, Lake Como.
“Whatever Your Goal is, You Will Never Succeed Unless You Let Go of Your Fears and Fly”
The super rich among the rich, Richard, also has a collection of very expensive “toys” luxury cars, fast motorcycles and glistening mega yachts you name it. Interesting enough he also claims that “possessions” do not bring happiness and that he is always trying to find more “creative and adventurous” ways to spend his 4 billion dollar fortune Is that why you rode an amphibious car from England to France, or crossed the Pacific from Japan to Canada in a hot air balloon, jumped from a Casino in Las Vegas (in a tuxedo of course 007 style), and launched your own Space Program and flew to space onboard the passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, Rich? (or shall we call him “adventure man?”)
Christopher Clarke QC, spokesman for BA, apologised "unreservedly" before the High Court for what was described as a "dirty tricks" campaign directed against Virgin Atlantic.
See You in Court, Losers! The Case with BA and the NHS BA Virgin Atlantic In 1984, Branson joined forces with the attorney Randolph Fields to launch what would become one of his most successful businesses to date: Virgin Atlantic. Because of its excellent customer service and unique in flight conveniences, such as complimentary ice cream, seat back television screens, and in flight massages, the airline quickly rose to the top of its industry and let’s just say, other airlines did not appreciate the competition.
consequently, its global reach allowing Branson to make some extraordinary purchases and start living the millionaire’s high life.
Even though the “father of Virgin” had put in place a somewhat “revolutionary” flying system with his luxurious yet affordable long haul flights, times were difficult as people were unable to travel as a result of terrorist acts (9/11). In the meantime, Virgin's larger competitor, British Airways, engaged in what Virgin's CEO described as "an aggressive campaign aimed to bring irreparable damage to Virgin.". In order to maintain Virgin Atlantic viable and flying, Branson was forced, to his regret, to sell off Virgin Records. The price? 1 Billion dollars.
Branson, in his late 20s, purchases his very own “slice” of secluded paradise Necker Island, part of the British Virgin Islands for $180,000 a bargain.
NHS Virgin Care
CEO Bezos advises basing your strategy around constants, on things that are not likely to change in the future or that are guided by trends. That’s the secret behind his Amazon wonder, a company that has more shareholders than any others in the world.
It is still early 2000s and other than winning lawsuits, the “ever smiling” tycoon is being given the greatest of recognitions, he is being Knighted at Buckingham Palace by Charles, Prince of Wales while Times magazine puts his name in the list of “100 most influential people in the world”.
“Boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there” is the advice of the “master” of Dogecoin (DOGE). And What does Jeff say? Outline scopes and goals. According to the “Amazon Man”, distractions may ultimately cause an entrepreneur to give up on its vision and or become unmotivated by ideas.
Tips from Richard and Jeff, and Elon Who wants to be a millionaire with Sir Branson? It is all about note taking. The magnate religiously believes in committing one’s objectives to paper in order to, not only ensure that they remain at the forefront of our minds, but that we can also focus on and pinpoint areas on which to concentrate and achieve our individual success.
After the threat of a lawsuit, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) made a settlement payment to Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Care in November 2017, however the terms of the agreement still remain confidential.
How about Elon? Elon Musk was successful in establishing a multibillion dollar empire across multiple sectors, including the automotive, energy, aerospace, and financial services. According to the South African billionaire, head of Twitter, SpaceX and Tesla, when a new business is launched, the process of outlining a problem and developing potential solutions is what determines the function that the company will play in satisfying a societal need. This vision serves as a foundation around which all decisions made in the future are constructed. If there is anything that does not adhere to this standard, one should just get rid of it.
After losing its attempt to provide children's services in Surrey in 2016, Branson's Virgin Care filed the lawsuit against NHS England in the High Court of England. The lawsuit was filed because Branson claims that private healthcare business was denied the opportunity for a fair attempt.
Richard Branson, who is worth billions of dollars, is known to be an avid note taker and is responsible for fostering a "notebook culture" at Virgin he has states that “An idea not written down is an idea lost” and that “When inspiration calls, you've got to capture it.”
Now you’re ready to make you’re first million! “Business Opportunities are like Buses, There’s Always Another One Coming”
Hisorganisations.humanitarian
come between him and his dreams of splendour, especially not the fact that he lacked experience. Nothing could ever stop him from being an innovative and risk taking entrepreneur and becoming the man he always wanted to be.
His outstanding commitment to the satisfaction of both his workforce and his customers earned him the title of "celebrity dream employer" also recognised by The Sunday Times as the most revered company entrepreneur of the last fifty years based on the contributions he had made to charitable
The “Virgin Man” gained his incredible success from a combination of factors. These include tenacity, quick thinking, and never stopping efforts (that include working long hours in weekdays and weekends also). His memoirs remark his unconventional views, inventiveness, willingness to defy conventions, and sturdy Bransondetermination.neverletanything
endeavours are definitely part of the reason why he is admired all over the world. Branson has spoken openly about mental health and dyslexia, of which he suffers.
“Who your competitors are, what kind of technologies are available...those things are going to change so rapidly that you're going to have to change your strategy very rapidly, too.”
His Virgin Unite Foundation works to relieve conditions such as HIV, AIDS, Dyslexia, and malaria. He is also on a journey to combat climate change and help kids in impoverished countries get free education. Recently, Sir Richard Branson has called for the UK government to “Reduce speed limit to 60mph on UK's motorways to save fuel and help defeat Putin.”
The Man of Constant Charitable Endeavours Thank You Virgin Man