Richard Branson says raising children is one of the few things tougher but more rewarding than building a business. He says both business and raising children can present surprises but both allow people to learn multiple new skills.
The Virgin Group founder is a father of two and grandparent to five children. He said in a blog post published on Monday that starting a business was a lot like having a baby.
"You have to do a huge amount of planning before the big day arrives. But no matter how prepared you are, something unexpected will inevitably happen," he said. Recalling how his wife Joan went into early labour with his daughter Holly.
Richard Branson Quotes From The Now Viral Blog Post
"I was worse for wear from a Virgin party and she had to kick me out of bed to get us to the hospital," Branson added.
- Like the birth of a child, the launch of a company can also present surprises. At the unveiling of the Virgin Miami Central center earlier this year, Branson said he had his 77th brush with death. A metal-framed banner had come crashing down on his head.
- As a new company, a newborn baby "will inevitably take up all of your time, to begin with." Branson lived on a houseboat in London's Little Venice with his wife and daughter. This was during the expansion of music label Virgin Records. Working next to the bedroom from a desk and "crammed between the bilge pump and the stairs."
- Starting a business with a small team also requires taking on many different job roles; having to "pick up new skills on the fly."
- In the same way, you won't know how to change a nappy until you do it. You also won't know how to sell advertising until you give it a go," Branson pointed out.
More Branson Quotes On Parenting And Running A Business
- Learning the art of delegation is also key in this process. He noted how both entrepreneurs and new parents suffer from sleep deprivation.
"While running a business is very hard work, you need to take time out to stand back and enjoy what you have created."
"This space also gives you a chance to look at the bigger picture and plan your next move." He compared this to how parents take a step back as their child grows up, giving them the freedom to make mistakes and learn lessons for themselves.
His daughter Holly trained as a doctor before joining her father's non-profit foundation Virgin Unite. She worked to establish its charitable trust for young people. She also worked on Big Change and went on to join Virgin's leadership team. Branson's son Sam, meanwhile, built his own film production company, Sundog. He also sits on the board of the Virgin Group.
Richard Branson says he continues to keep a close eye on all Virgin businesses often from a distance. He likes to allow CEOs and leadership teams the space to do their jobs and build their teams. He offers advice and support when needed without "stifling or micro-managing."
"Over the years, I've learnt first-hand that this really is the best approach to ensure a new business comes into its own," he said.
CNBC
Also read: The best age to give your child a smart phone, according to Bill Gates
