Branson's Virgin Visions

Early on in his business career, Richard has ideas about what he wants to do. Frustrated as a student with dyslexia, the young boy learns fantasizing about the future is one of his favorite pastimes. For example, while a student, he dreams aloud about the future for the Student and tells the staff he wants to set up a cheap student bank and a string of great nightclubs and hotels where students could stay. He goes on to tell about his dreams to offer good travel, like student trains or a student airline. An early project is to advertise and sell cheap mail-order records through the Student and decide upon a name. Since they are virgins at business and one of the girls adds there aren't many virgins left around here, Richard agrees: "It's Virgin."

Fun is at the core of Richard's business, the secret of...