In 1970 he founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer , and not long after he opened a record shop in Oxford Street , London . Richard Branson set up Student Magazine at the age of 16 to start his empire . He founded Virgin in 1970 as a music retailer , then opened a recording studio . The company went public and became one of the biggest record labels on Earth with artists like David Bowie and U2.
Richard Branson set up Student Magazine at the age of 16 to start his empire . He founded Virgin in 1970 as a music retailer , then opened a recording studio . The company went public and became one of the biggest record labels on Earth with artists like David Bowie and U2.