The Best 50 Richard Branson Quotes to Excel in Business

Sir Richard Branson is an English business magnate, investor, and the founder of the Virgin Group. Learn from 50 of his best business quotes.

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson CBE, familiarly known as Richard Branson, is an English business magnate and investor. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies.

Picture of Richard Branson

In the 1970s, he set up Virgin Records, beginning by opening record stores and a recording studio. This set the ground for the original Virgin Records label.

With his flamboyant and competitive style, Branson's Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he set up Virgin Atlantic Airways and expanded the Virgin Records music label by signing artists including the Police and UB40.

In March 2000, Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace for "services to entrepreneurship". In February 2003 he launched Virgin Mobile (Australia) with Christopher Wilkinson in Sydney. In 2005 he opened a center for children with special needs as well as a kite-boarding school.

In parallel with his business activities, he has promoted health awareness campaigns in the UK and advocated alternative fuel sources.

Here are some of Elon Musk’s quotes that have been a source of inspiration to entrepreneurs around the world:

1. Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one comingRichard Brandson

2. “Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.” – Richard Branson

3. “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.” – Richard

Branson

4. “A business is simply an idea to make other people’s lives better.” – Richard

Branson

5. The brands that will thrive in the coming years are the ones that have a purpose beyond profit. – Richard Branson

6. “Listen. Take the best. Leave the rest.” – Richard Branson

7. “If your dreams don’t scare you they are too small.” – Richard Branson

8. Don’t be embarrassed by your failures. Learn from them and start all over again. – Richard Branson

9. “If you don’t succeed at first, there’s no need for the F word (Failure). Pick

yourself up and try, try again.” – Richard Branson

10. “Don’t become a slave to technology – manage your phone, don’t let it manage you.” – Richard Branson

Richard Brands doing Quote Business on wallpaper

11. You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over. – Richard Branson

12. “To me, business isn’t about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It’s about being true to yourself, your ideas and focusing on the essentials.” – Richard Branson

13. “Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you.” – Richard Branson

14. “Entrepreneurship isn’t just a label – it’s a lifestyle. Richard Branson

15. “The one person who can make your business succeed is not an investor or even a mentor, it is you.” Richard Branson

16. "Entrepreneurship is about turning what excites you in life into capital so that you can do more of it and move forward with it." – Richard Branson

17. “Building a business is not rocket science, it’s about having a great idea and seeing it through with integrity.” – Richard Branson

18. “Life is a series of ups and clowns. Make it worth your wild!” – Richard Branson

19. “An entrepreneur is an innovator, a job creator, a game-changer, a business leader, a disruptor, an adventurer.” – Richard Branson

20. "Whatever your goal is you will never succeed unless you let go of your fears and fly." – Richard Branson

Richard Branson Learn By Doing Business Quote

21. “My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently un-achievable challenges, and trying to rise above them.” – Richard Branson

22. “Remember it’s OK to be yourself.” – Richard Branson

23. “The lesson that I have learned and follow all my life is that we should try and try and try again – but never give up!.” – Richard Branson

24. "Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to." – Richard Branson

25. “Education doesn’t just take place in stuffy classrooms and university buildings, it can happen everywhere, every day to every person.” – Richard Branson

26. “Take a chance. It’s the best way to test yourself. Have fun and push boundaries.” – Richard Branson

27. “Entrepreneurship is a great leveler, The wonderful thing is that money is not the sole currency when it comes to starting a business; drive, determination, passion and hard work are all free and more valuable than a pot of cash.” – Richard Branson

28. "As soon as something stops being fun, I think it’s time to move on. Life is too short to be unhappy. Waking up stressed and miserable is not a good way to live." – Richard Branson

29. “One thing is certain in business. You and everyone around you will make mistakes." – Richard Branson

30. “Screw it. Let’s do it.” – Richard Branson

Richard Branson standout quote on wallpaper

31. “I think it’s quite great to set yourself a big challenge, and then you’ve got

another reason for keeping fit.” – Richard Branson

32. “The best way of learning about anything is by doing.” – Richard Branson

34. “Entrepreneurial business favors the open mind. It favors people whose optimism drives them to prepare for many possible futures, pretty much purely for the joy of doing so.” – Richard Branson

35. “Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – and it’s about getting a balance.” – Richard Branson

36. “And obviously, from our own personal point of view, the principal challenge is a personal challenge.” – Richard Branson

37. “Do good, have fun and the money will come.” Richard Branson

38. “Learn from failure. If you are an entrepreneur and your first venture wasn’t a success, welcome to the club.” – Richard Branson

39. "Hard-won things are more valuable than those that come too easily." – Richard Branson

40. “If you spot an opportunity and are really excited by it, throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got.” – Richard Branson

Richard Branson Dream Big Business Quote

41. “Once a changemaker, always a changemaker but only a few swim against the tide.” – Richard Branson

42. “Material things are delightful, but they’re not important.” – Richard Branson

43. “Happiness is the secret ingredient for successful businesses. If you have a happy company it will be invincible.” – Richard Branson

44. “Cover the downside.” – Richard Branson

45. “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!” – Richard Branson

46. “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.” – Richard Branson

47. “You never know with these things when you’re trying something new what can happen. This is all experimental.” – Richard Branson

48. “When you’re first thinking through an idea, it’s important not to get bogged down in complexity. Thinking simply and clearly is hard to do.” – Richard Branson

49. “Your company should act as a springboard for ambitious employees, not a set of shackles.” – Richard Branson

50. “If you want to stand out from the crowd, give people a reason not to forget you.” – Richard Branson

Now that you’ve been inspired by all of these Sir Richard Branson quotes, Are you ready to start your business? Or check out these more business insights.


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Tumisang Bogwasi
Tumisang Bogwasi

2X Award-Winning Entrepreneur | Empowering Brands to Generate Leads, Grow Revenue with Business Strategy and Digital Marketing | Founder, CEO of Fine Group