Timeline of Richard Branson's business ventures

This is a list of Richard Branson's business ventures from the 1960s to today. 1960s 1966 – After failed attempts to grow and sell both Christmas trees and budgerigars, Branson launches his first successful business, a magazine named Student, the first issue of which appearing in January 1968. Branson's net worth was estimated at £50,000 by 1969. 1970s 1970 – Start selling records by mail-order 1971 – Opens his first record shop on Oxford Street 1972 – Opens a Virgin Recording Studio 1973 – Launches Virgin Records record label 1979 – Buys the gay nightclub Heaven, located under Charing Cross railway station. It was sold in 2003 to a private buyer. Branson's net worth was estimated at £5 million by 1979. 1980s 1980 – Virgin Records goes international 1981 – Virgin buys the Kensington Roof Gardens 1983 – Virgin Vision, later to become Virgin Communications, is formed to distribute films and videos in the television and broadcasting sector. 1983 – Virgin Games is launched. 1984 – Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Cargo are launched. 1984 – Virgin Vision (launched the previous year) launches "Music Box", a 24-hour satellite music station. 1985 – Virgin Group now includes record labels, retail outlets, exported music publishing, broadcasting, satellite television, and film and video distribution. 1985 – Branson starts Virgin Holidays 1987 – Branson takes Virgin Records to the United States 1987 – The Virgin Group, along with Granada, Anglia and Pearson, founds British Satellite Broadcasting and receives a UK licence to broadcast five new TV channels by satellite in the UK. 1987 – Virgin sets up 525, a post production facility in Los Angeles, to work on high-end commercials and pop videos. 1987 – Virgin sets up "Music Box" as an independent producer of music programmes. 1987 – Virgin buys a 45% stake in Mastertronic Group.