Losing my Virginity - Mr Branson

Hold on, don’t go by the title. This is not a salacious or an erotic story, this is an autobiography of Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, which I read recently. Richard Branson, one of the reputed businessman in UK, who didn’t had any major degree, was just a school pass out. He had business acumen ingrained in his blood.
Book completely encompasses his life starting from his school days when he don’t had any interest in studies, to venturing into small part time business activities to earn some money. These ideas lead him to start publishing a magazine in school by the name of “Student”. He got a complement from his teacher that “You will either go to prison or become millionaire”.

I liked his business style, trying to venture into new ideas. He always kept looking for new opportunities and looking to create “Virgin” as a prestigious brand. He always welcomed ideas to change in his business style to keep his group survive and in competition, starting from early 1970’s. Starting from a student’ magazine, running a Music mail order company to Music shops to Recording studios. Then venturing into retail, mega stores, airlines, travels, Insurance, banking, drinks. He had a vision of creating Virgin, a reliable brand. His motto was, when in recession, was to reinvent yourself and keep expanding. He faced many cash related problems and was on verge of bankruptcy many times but his attitude and business acumen and his charm in industry helped him keep afloat virgin group even in bad times.

I liked his adventurous attitude towards life, which depicts his risk taking abilities. He had many records to his name like world tour in hot air balloon, fastest person to sail from US to UK through Atlantic. Though each of these activities had danger of losing his life, but he was more interested in results.

The name of the group “Virgin”, was kept, as they were naïve into the business and they didn’t knew the business rules when they started with first venture of Virgin mail order record company. And also the book’s name defends the group title ie. Losing their virginity to reach to the top.

Overall, it’s one of the good inspiring, dynamic autobiography to read, especially for the young budding entrepreneurs.