Holly Branson’s Post

“You know there was a time when a business was a part of the community. The owners lived in the community… They knew the people there, so when they made decisions, it was hard to look beyond the fact that your decisions impacted your neighbours.” Such powerful words from a conversation I had with Michelle Obama a few years ago (as you can tell I was only a few weeks off giving birth to Lola!). How incredible if all businesses could always keep sight of the stakeholders who are most impacted by their decisions. As I mentioned to her at the time, my hope is that all businesses will be a force for good in the world in the not-so-distant future. Making sure you’re never too far removed from the people and the communities at the heart of your business is a vital way to make this happen. What do you think? https://virg.in/44plBYH #community #purpose #businessforgood

“If you don’t do it, you haven’t done it.” My granny used to say this with a big smile on her face, and the words have always stuck with me. It’s a brilliant mantra for entrepreneurs, but it’s easier said than done sometimes, especially when imposter syndrome gets in the way. Here’s three ways that might help you overcome it: https://virg.in/JrYS #impostersyndrome #confidence #entrepreneurs

Incredible to see how Bridge It's Cocoon program is helping young women who are at cusp of becoming homeless, and helping them to build their own successful, happy, and independent lives. So proud to support this brilliant work through Virgin Unite: https://virg.in/49JXnJC

How do you overcome imposter syndrome in your career? I’ve been thinking back about the brilliant tips that the founders of Tiwani Heritage told me. They are particularly useful for entrepreneurs! 1. Know your worth: Apply for every grant, every accelerator programme, every competition, and every award you can find.  2. Turn down the volume of the negative self-talk: This gets easier as your careers moves on, and you build up more confidence from everything you’ve experienced. At the beginning though, you’ve got to take a leap of faith and just get started.    3. Don’t underestimate the edge you can bring to your brand, just by being yourself and bringing your own voice to the table.     Here’s more from Lola and Carol: https://virg.in/4b8sfo7 #entrepreneurs #impostersyndrome #careers

Only Virgin Voyages could figure out a way to drive a double-decker ship through central London! It reminds me of how Dad drove a Virgin Cola tank down Times Square all those years ago… Here’s more from Dad’s time in London – and how the Virgin story all began on a little houseboat in West London, many decades ago. The houseboat was where my mum and dad discovered they were pregnant with me, and it’s where my brother Sam and I grew up as Dad worked beside us. Wonderful to see it all coming full circle with this fun activation: https://virg.in/444pMsy

The best way to learn is to dive right in. Loved hearing from this Virgin StartUp supported founder, Tessa Holladay, about how she built SAINT LUKE by learning on the go. As Tessa put it:  “Anything you really don't know how to do, you can quite easily learn. Or even better, teach yourself a new way and break the mould by doing it better!” A lovely read: https://lnkd.in/exYv6wW7

Brilliant to see Samuel Lehane from Virgin StartUp come away with the Business Support Partner ‘Personality of the Year’ award from the British Business Bank. An extremely well-deserved accolade from tirelessly helping entrepreneurs all around the UK reach their dreams. A huge congratulations, Sam!

Sitting down with Dad to discuss his new audiobook. I just love knowing that me, my children and future generations of our family will be able to sit down and hear your voice, telling all your wonderful stories for decades and decades to come. Thank you, Dad! I hope you all enjoy our conversation ❤️ https://lnkd.in/eiivvsGg

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” Such brilliant tips from Virgin Mobile UAE's CEO / “Chief Energy Officer”, Rob Beswick. It was just so brilliant to visit our wonderful Virgin businesses in Dubai earlier this year. Everyone was so generous with their time, and I learned so much from them all. It was brilliant to get these nuggets of wisdom from Rob, too. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received? https://virg.in/48r8oP6 #advice #entrepreneur #wisdom

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This quote just says it all – especially when it comes to education. With a dyslexic child and a dyslexic dad, it means a lot to me whenever Dad writes about neurodiversity. Here’s a lovely read from Dad on how our uniqueness is our superpower in life: https://virg.in/3PUisdd