I recall at a conference how Sahar Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic, said that she almost hated Richard Branson because she felt that he put off some people from starting up in business. Her point was that Branson, with his swashbuckling beard and dare devil attitude, was too intimidating to be a role model and that most entrepreneurs were nothing like him.

Her words have come back to me as I have been reading Branson’s book Business Stripped Bare. It’s a very interesting book for business owners and Branson speaks candidly about his highs and lows as an entrepreneur. It is also almost frightening how much this ‘entrepreneur’s entrepreneur’ has fitted into his life. So I can see Hashemi’s point.

No company has a story anything like Virgin’s and for start-ups or growing businesses there are few formulas to be found in its story, although you can't help to feel inspired by it. As Branson himself points out, If you look at the top 20 brands in the world they all tend to focus on one area, except for Virgin. Branson started of in records and has ended up in space, going via aeroplanes, trains, radio, soft drinks and mobile phones on the way. He’s not typical and neither is his business - so don’t let him put you off. He didn't put off Hashemi and look how well she did.