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 Richard Brenson graduated from the Stowe school when he was 17. He
studied so bad that the director was happy to finish the misery, perhaps more
than Richard himself. But being a true British gentleman, he did find the words
to farewell speech: «I congratulate Richard, I think you would either go to the
prison or become a millionaire».
But the boy had no doubt about
his way as it was the way of a rich man. He has tried himself in
business even before graduation. Together with friend Nick they decided to grow
fir-trees for the Christmas holidays. However, the plan failed because rabbits
ate the cover of the trees. In revenge, Richard and Nick killed several eared ones
and sold the meat to the meat shop. They gained 800 pounds but in
comparison with the expected Christmas outcomes these money were just tears.
Brenson founded the magazine ‘Student' when he was 15. It was created as a
title for all students in England. Brenson had chosen quite suitable time. In 1965 students had fought for
their rights and needed to have their own «voice» more than ever before
Brenson began to search
advertisers for his publishing activities. Of course, firstly they
denied, because no one has ever seen the ‘Student' that existed only as the
project. But Richard demonstrated the unique persistence. Months of failure did
not confuse him, as he worked for the result, not for time. Finally, the first
advertiser had given the first check for 250 pounds.
The magazine quickly became popular. Teenagers who told their mates about what
they were interested themselves made it. It is enough to mention that there was
an interview with such personalities as Mick Jagger and John Lennon. But
Brenson soon realized that it is not enough money from the magazine and decided
to start up the music business.
Brenson sent music records for
a price lower than in the shops. The only question was how to name the
new company. Someone suggested the idea to name it ‘Virgin' indicating that
Richard and his company act as a virgin in the business world.
1970 was a year of success for
Virgin Mail Order. The records sold out rapidly. Then Brenson postal
workers arranged a strike. Richard and Nick, who became the principal financier
of the company, decided to open a retail store for music CDs.
But the store just arouse
their appetite for earning big money. Brenson understood that serious
amount of this business spin around recording studios. Then he had found a
suburban house for 30 000 pounds.
After taking credit from a bank and from relatives, he gained the required sum.
The idea of recording studio
got it one and for many years earned money for all the other Brenson's
adventures even the questionable ones. We can just say that the first invention
of the studio was Mike Oldfield with his album Tubular Bells. Then they
recorded Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Boy George, Janet Jackson.
In 80-th years of the last century,
the Virgin started the new business. Now it was studio Virgin Vision,
the real estate company Virgin Developments, the computer games studio Virgin
Games. But the most adventurous Brenson's project was the establishment of
Virgin Airlines.
To implement the project
Virgin made in all kinds of debts. They analyzed the work of chief rival
British Airways and had chosen the opposite strategy. If a competitor is rigor
and follows tradition, the Brenson company made fun and even did massage during
the flight. And it worked, Virgin Airlines entrenched in the market of air
transport, although at the period of the funds shortage Brenson had to sell the
recording studio.
Then the Virgin experimented
with the hotel and tourism business. Then he Brenson had opened Virgin
Publishing, Virgin Radio media holding and Virgin Television. He realized the
idea of creating a high-speed railway. Brenson opened such companies as Virgin
Cars, Virgin Money, Virgin Wines, Virgin Mobile (the most rapidly growing
cellular operator in the UK), Virgin Energy.
Currently Richard Brenson state is estimated as 7.8 billion dollars. The last
of his major projects is the construction in the U.S. Virgin Galactic space
station together with the Paul Allen from Microsoft. The businessmen are going
to send tourists into space.
Alexei Chernov
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