I have always been a huge believer in the inestimable value good mentoring can contribute to any nascent business

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.

The entrepreneurs who succeed usually want to make a difference to people’s lives, not just their own bank balances.

As we drifted to earth I sat up on the glass roof of the capsule, watching the beauty of the golden dawn as it broke over the desert. This was a day I never thought I'd see and the rising sun and growing warmth of the day seemed very precious. It made me aware that hard-won things are more valuable than those that come too easily. It reminded me to always enjoy the moment.

We've always had a pretty competitive and pretty ferocious battle with British Airways... It's lasted now about 14 years, and we're very pleased to have survived it.

In business, as in life, all that matters is that you do something positive.

If you can run one company, you can run another. Running companies are about inspiring and driving the best out of people.