# Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950 in Blackheath, London) is a British entrepreneur, best known for businesses using the Virgin brand name.

## Quotes

* I think other companies need to stand on their own two feet, and the weak ones need to go to the wall.
** Interviewed by the BBC on his opposition to extending bail-outs beyond the banking sector during the Great Recession, 21 February 2009
* One thing is certain in business. You and everyone around you will make mistakes.
** From Richard Branson's blog ‘Learning from mistakes’ on the Virgin Website
* My general attitude to life is to enjoy every minute of every day. I never do anything with a feeling of, “Oh God, I've got to do this today.”
** From his interview in The Guardian newspaper, 20th September 2008
* I became an entrepreneur by mistake. Ever since then I've gone into business, not to make money, but because I think I can do it better than it's been done elsewhere. And, quite often, just out of personal frustration about the way it's been done by other people.
** As stated in an interview with Martyn Lewis in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)
* My philosophy is that if I have any money I invest it in new ventures and not have it sitting around.
** From his interview in The Sunday Mirror, 16th January 2000
* Making money never was my incentive. I just want to fight big companies.
** From his interview in The Sunday Mirror, 16th January 2000
* If you want to be a Millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline.
** Quoted by P. Greenberg, “Why JetBlue will be different,” MSNBC as cited in Gittell and O’Reilly (October, 2001) Harvard Business School Press Reprint No. 9-801-354
* I was born under a lucky star, and I have nothing whatsoever to regret. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life.
** In his interview with Nina Myskow for Saga magazine, July 2007
* To be associated with industry no longer carries the stigma of profiteering, exploitation and of being uncaring as it did when I was at school.
** From Branson's Foreword to the book: Marcouse, Ian (1996). Understanding Industry. Bath: Hodder & Stoughton. p. ix. ISBN 034067927-1.
* The talents of young people must not be stifled. Education is not just about getting the right grades in exams but it should encourage all students to develop their optimum capacity, whatever that may be. Schools and colleges should prepare young people for life.
** From Branson's Foreword to the book: Marcouse, Ian (1996). Understanding Industry. Bath: Hodder & Stoughton. p. ix. ISBN 034067927-1.
* A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.
** From Mr. Branson's blog on the Virgin Website.
* We're here to make space more accessible to all. We want to turn the next generation of dreamers into the astronauts of today and tomorrow. We've all us on this stage have had the most extraordinary experience, and we'd love it if a number of you can have it, too. … If you ever had a dream, now is the time to make it come true — and I'd like to end by saying welcome to the dawn of a new space age.
** Quoted in "Richard Branson goes to space", by Jackie Wattles, Fernando Alfonso III and Mike Hayes, CNN (11 July 2021)
* On one of my last days at school, aged 15, my headmaster predicted that I would either end up in prison or become a millionaire ... So for anyone anxious about their A-level results today, I hope this brings you some encouragement!
** Post on X (15 August 2024), as cite in Martha Gill "A-levels are far from perfect, but in the exam hall every pupil – rich or poor – is equally afraid", The Observer (18 August 2024)
** The ellipsis are in the original tweet.

## External links

* 20 Inspirational Quotes at Virgin.com
* Biography and Quotes at Biography Online