I have always believed that the only way to cope with a cash crisis is not to contract but to try to expand out of it.

Most people assume that a record shop's success lies in selling records. In fact, Virgin's success both in mail order and the record shops lay in skill at buying records.

I am convinced that companies should put staff first, customers second and shareholders third - ultimately that's in the best interest of customers and shareholders.

To have created one of the most respected companies in the world. Not necessarily the biggest.

Of course, a lot of businesses want to reach students, so I funded the magazine by selling advertising. I sold something like $8,000 worth of advertising for the first edition, and that was in 1966. I printed up 50,000 copies, and I didn't even have to charge for them on the newsstand because my costs were already covered.

Don't wait till you are big before you begin building your brand. Build a brand from scratch alongside your business.

People who think and say we more often than I are a lot more likely to succeed.