Richard Branson

Richard Branson faced early challenges including dyslexia and poor academic performance, dropping out of school at 16, yet showed entrepreneurial spirit by launching Student magazine in 1968 to address youth issues like abortion and sexuality. His parents encouraged self-sufficiency, fostering resilience; when the magazine struggled financially, he pivoted to a mail-order record business in 1970, named Virgin due to his business inexperience, followed by opening a discount record store on London's Oxford Street in 1971. In 1972, Branson founded Virgin Records, which exploded with Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and signed punk icons like the Sex Pistols and later The Rolling Stones, becoming the world's largest independent label. Expansion continued with Virgin Megastores, though he faced a customs arrest for untaxed records (settled out of court). In 1984, he launched Virgin Atlantic Airways with one leased Boeing 747 on the London-New York route, overcoming engine failures on maiden flights and 'Dirty Tricks' from British Airways to become a leading airline. By the 1990s, Virgin grew into a conglomerate of ~100-400 companies across sectors like telecom (Virgin Mobile), trains (Virgin Trains), banking (Virgin Money), cola (unsuccessful), and health. Branson sold Virgin Records in 1992 to fund airlines and Virgin Mobile in 2006 (retaining shares), while launching Virgin Galactic in 2004 for space tourism. Now focusing on philanthropy via Virgin Unite (2004), he supports The Elders, Carbon War Room, ocean conservation, and the $25M Virgin Earth Challenge for sustainability. Adventurer Branson holds records in hot-air ballooning and powerboat racing, using publicity stunts to build his brand.