Richard Branson set up Student Magazine at the age of 18 to start his empire . In 1986 his boat , `` Virgin Atlantic Challenger II '' rekindled the spirit of the Blue Riband by crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the fastest ever recorded time . He joined EMI in 1970 as a music retailer , then opened a recording studio . He has released a number of records traveling in boats and balloons .
Richard Branson set up Student Magazine at the age of 18 to start his empire . He joined EMI in 1970 as a music retailer , then opened a recording studio . He has released a number of records traveling in boats and balloons .