# Virgin: Richard Branson

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-01-30
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson

## Summary

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, recounts how he built a diverse empire of over 200 businesses, starting with a student magazine and a discount record shop. He details the critical early failures of Virgin Atlantic, including a $700,000 bird strike that nearly bankrupted the airline, and the aggressive market tactics used by British Airways and Coca-Cola to crush Virgin Cola. Branson explains his philosophy of learning through failure, selling Virgin Records to save the airline, and his current work with Virgin Galactic on space tourism following a fatal test pilot crash.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=0) Introduction: Richard Branson and the Virgin Group
- [1:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=117) Starting Student Magazine and Virgin Records
- [8:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=509) Launching Virgin Atlantic and the Bird Strike Crisis
- [13:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=806) The Dirty Tricks Campaign by British Airways
- [17:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=1067) Launching and Failing with Virgin Cola
- [22:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=1358) Other Ventures: Virgin Brides and Virgin Money
- [25:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-01-30-virgin-richard-branson#t=1557) Virgin Galactic and the Test Pilot Crash

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Virgin (company)
- Virgin Records (company)
- Virgin Atlantic (company)
- British Airways (company)
- Virgin Cola (product)
- Coca-Cola (company)
- Virgin Galactic (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [#123 Jeff Church's Lessons on Entrepreneurship, from Suja Juice $140 Million/year Success to Shutting down Rowdy Energy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-01-09-123-jeff-churchs-lessons-on-entrepreneurship-from-suja-juice-140-million-year-su) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Dyslexia, Deals & Devastation: Jez Williman on the Highs and Lows of Building Physical Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-06-12-dyslexia-deals-devastation-jez-williman-on-the-highs-and-lows-of-building-physic) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [#168 - CPG Founder Life - What to Expect: Paul Voge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-11-05-168-cpg-founder-life-what-to-expect-paul-voge) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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