Who Is Richard Branson?

Richard Branson was a struggling student and dropped out of school at 16, which eventually led to Virgin Records. His ventures began in the music business, and he expanded to other industries, such as Virgin Galactic, a space-tourism venture that made him a billionaire. Branson is also well-known for his adventurous spirit, sporting accomplishments, and crossing the oceans in a hot balloon.

Young Entrepreneur:

Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born in Surrey, England, on July 18, 1950. Edward James Branson was his father and a barrister. Eve Branson, his mother, worked as a flight attendant. Branson struggled with dyslexia and had difficulty navigating educational institutions. At Scaitcliffe School for boys, he nearly dropped out at the age of 13. Then he transferred to Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, England. It was a Boarding School. 

Branson, who was still struggling at 16, dropped out of high school to launch a youth-culture magazine called Students. In 1966, the publication was launched by students and sold $8,000 worth of advertising. Branson paid for the advertising costs, after which the first edition of 50,000 copies was distributed free.

Branson was living in London at the time, surrounded by British music and drugs. Branson was living in London when he had an idea to start a mail-order record business called Virgin to fund his magazine ventures. Branson was able to expand his business venture by opening a record shop in London’s Oxford Street. Although it performed poorly, it was enough to allow him to grow. The store’s success enabled Branson, a high school dropout, to open a recording studio in Oxfordshire, England, in 1972.

Virgin Records:

Mike Oldfield was the first artist to sign up for Virgin Records. He recorded “Tubular Bells” with Branson’s help in 1973. It was a huge hit and stayed on the UK charts for 247 consecutive weeks. Branson signed several other musical groups, including the Sex Pistols, to Virgin Music, building on Oldfield’s success. Virgin Music would soon become one of the six most successful record companies worldwide, thanks to artists like the Culture Club, Rolling Stones, and Genesis.