Richard Branson is synonymous with the spirit of entrepreneurship.  Starting in the late 1960’s, Richard has built an empire out of his Virgin brand and built a personal net worth estimated to be around $2.5 billion.  With a company that spans the globe and a very charismatic personality, Mr. Branson has transformed himself (and his company) into one of the most admired and innovative icons in the world.

What are the secrets to how he does it?  It’s a combination of several distinct characteristics that have allowed him to achieve enormous success.

Business & Money-Making Lessons You Can Learn from Richard Branson

• Be bold

  From showing up in dresses to promote his products to trying to break world records, Richard is always pushing the enveloped when promoting his products and companies.

• Diversify

  Over the years he has built, acquired, and still owns over 360 companies in various industries.

• Give Back

  Not only does Richard Branson make a lot of money each year, but he gives a lot of it back to humanitarian causes.  He has pledged to reinvest all profits from Virgin Trains & Virgin Atlantic into research for developing environmentally-friendly fuels.

• Challenge the status quo

  Many of the industries that Mr. Branson competes in, are transformed when he enters the market.  Not only does he put a twist on the way that his company operates – he redefines what we come to expect (as is the case with Virgin Air)

• Be visible

  You can see Richard Branson just about everywhere: in movies, on television, in newspapers, he is constantly taking part in things that will gain him media exposure.  Often, he is sought because of his bold actions in business and his playful attitude.

• Have mass appeal

  Although a billionaire several times over, Richard can come across as someone people can relate to.  He seems like a really fun guy you would want to hand out with, and people can live somewhat vicariously through him because he does things that many of us only dream of (flying spaceships, owning an islands, traveling the world).

• Work hard and play hard

  Richard structures his companies (and personal life from what he has shared) with a mentality that places fun and enjoyment right alongside work and productivity.  Not only does this allow him to have fun, but it makes his employees love what they do and where they work.

Image Credit: riz94107