Richard Branson’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1970 with the launch of Virgin Mail Order Records, run out of a church crypt with a group of friends. Two years later, he opened the first Virgin Records store in London – his unconventional approach and knack for marketing helped Virgin stand out in a competitive market, and in 1973, he launched Virgin Records as a fully-fledged record label. Its first release, Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, became a massive hit and set the tone for Virgin’s future — bold, unorthodox, and successful.

Throughout the 1980s, Branson expanded the Virgin brand into multiple industries, including airlines – Virgin Atlantic took off in 1984, quickly gaining attention for its customer service and innovative flair. Branson’s willingness to challenge industry giants made headlines and earned public admiration. Over the years, the Virgin Group grew to include over 400 companies worldwide, spanning sectors from music and mobile to railways and health.

However, not all ventures soared. Virgin Cola, launched in the 1990s to take on Coca-Cola, fizzled out after a few years. Virgin Brides and Virgin Cars also failed to gain traction. Yet Branson’s resilience remained intact — each failure seemed to fuel the next big move.

A major milestone came with the launch of Virgin Galactic, Branson’s ambitious leap into commercial space travel. After nearly two decades of development and setbacks, including a tragic test flight accident in 2014, Virgin Galactic made history in 2021 when Branson himself flew to the edge of space aboard VSS Unity. It was both a symbolic and literal high point in his career.

Despite his billionaire status, Branson has maintained a public image rooted in adventure, risk-taking, and approachability. His leadership style and branding genius have turned Virgin into one of the most recognizable names in global business.

A Business Lesson from Richard Branson

One key lesson Branson often shares is: “Screw it, let’s do it.” It captures his belief in action over hesitation. While planning and analysis are important, Branson emphasises that bold decisions and a willingness to take calculated risks often separate successful entrepreneurs from the rest. Sometimes, the best way to learn and grow is by simply diving in.