Quotes by Richard Branson

“Business opportunities are like buses, theres always another one coming.”

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.”

“Weve got an engaging, edgy, vibrant, fun product, ... It may or may not work, but were going to give it our best shot.”

“I believe in benevolent dictatorship provided I am the dictator”

“With the casino and the beds, our passengers will have at least two ways to get lucky on one of our flights.”

“I never get the accountants in before I start up a business. Its done on gut feeling, especially if I can see that they are taking the mickey out of the consumer.”

“Whats the quickest way to become a millionaire? Borrow fivers off everyone you meet.”

“I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasnt really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going.”

“Like getting into a bleeding competition with a blood bank.”

“I think the most important thing is that in the last seven days weve just had the greatest adventure of our lifetimes.”

to be successful, you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running

The first thing that has to be recognized is that one cannot train someone to be passionate--its either in their DNA or its not.

I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive then I believe you are better off not doing it. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.

A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.

Good brands reflect the histories of the time and the group of people that made them. They can not be copied. They can not be recycled.

Fun is at the core of the way I like to do business and it has been key to everything Ive done from the outset. More than any other element, fun is the secret of Virgins success. I am aware that the ideas of business as being fun and creative goes right against the grain of convention, and its certainly not how the they teach it at some of those business schools, where business means hard grind and lots of discounted cash flows and net present values.

I don’t believe it can be taught as if it were a recipe. There aren’t ingredients and techniques that will guarantee success. Parameters exist that, if followed, will ensure a business can continue, but you cannot clearly define our business success and then bottle it as you would a perfume. It’s not that simple: to be successful, you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running; and, if you have a good team round you and more than your fair share of luck, you might make something happen. But you certainly can’t guarantee it just by following someone else’s formula. Business is a fluid, changing substance.

There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.

Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.

If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!