“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” ~Richard Branson
Branson is thinking about going public with Virgin Atlantic Airways. He’s also announced that he’s thinking about selling Virgin Magastores. And he may leave or scale back his involvement in Virgin Group. Is Sir Richard the only business person who makes news by announcing possible plans?
Who can blame the guy for getting out of the game? He’s 57 and started running his first successful business at 16. Aside from being personally successful, he’s also invested in lots of green ventures in an effort to make the world a better place. If anyone deserves to retire, it’s this guy.
Oh, and if you’re keeping track of where the smart money is going, Branson’s latest green investment is in Metrolight Inc. out of Brentwood, TN. They make “Smart Electronic Ballasts” for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps (22% of all lights are HID). Their technology reduces HID lighting energy costs by 65%. I wonder if he uses those lamps on his own private island? Probably.
If I owned an island, I’d retire to it … now. First I’d have to make the world a better place. I’d start by announcing possible plans … if only I could think some up. How about this … I’m thinking about turning off the light at my desk. If I do, it will save 100% of the energy going to that light. That wouldn’t be too shabby for a day’s work, eh?
Gary said,
August 21, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I bought a whole bunch of those weird florescent light bulbs. Now I’m waiting for my regular ones to die.
Jim said,
August 21, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I bought a pizza and a six-pack and now I’m waiting for everyone to die.
Dayv said,
August 22, 2007 at 10:30 am
I’m thinking of just unplugging my computer… Energy use will go down to 0%, a 100% decrease, but productivity should decrease by only 25%… again down to 0%…
Jim, I’m picking up another 6 pack and coming over for pizza….
julieluongo said,
August 22, 2007 at 10:53 am
You’re going to need more pizza if you’re waiting for everyone to die. That’s a lot of people.
Jenn said,
August 22, 2007 at 11:07 am
Here’s an interesting thing I learned this weekend. jeff’s cousins put the flourescent lightbulbs in their lamps in the living room, but had to take them out because they were screwing with the IR on the remote controls.
Gary said,
August 22, 2007 at 2:07 pm
that’s really weird. I guess I’ll find out.
MamaPeg is Watching You said,
August 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm
We have ‘em. No problem with the ir
Dayv said,
August 23, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I got ‘em in my kitchen and bathroom… well, they started out just in the kitchen but when the bathroom light burned out, rather than buy more I just stole one from the kitchen fixture…
I don’t like them. Sure they’re nice and bright and use much less power, but they have to warm up… at least the cheap-ass-got-’em-at-Target ones I got do. I don’t know if that’s normal. Maybe I’ll change them again now that I’ve got a BF who’s tall enough to reach them. (Damn, dating me is hard work…) lol
Jenn said,
August 23, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Richard Branson does not, in fact, respect the environment. As this clip clearly shows, he is engaging in shocking behavior by having a BOTTLED WATER fight with Stephen Colbert.
(note that I cannot find the actual single clip, but you can click on the appropriate one)
http://television.aol.com/franchise/top5
OH THE SCANDAL!!!!
Jenn said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Oh wait – it is on Youtube, but the AOL quality is much better:
Jim said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, Miss Luongo. But I get the sneaking suspicion that you want a certain billionaire mogul… Umm, “All up inside of you”
Jeez, rich grandpa fetish much?
julieluongo said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Jim, you are not wrong…well, you’re wrong in the global, head shaking “he’s so wrong” type of way.
Here’s the full story about Branson and me (in two parts):
http://julieluongo.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/17/
http://julieluongo.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/if-you-knew-branson-like-i-knew-branson-part-deux/
Miranda said,
October 29, 2007 at 6:59 am
OMG. Look what I found! A Meet and Greet with Richard Branson and Elvis Costello”.How cool is this, I never thought I would ever have a chance like this. If you want a chance to bid on this visit this link. http://www.ebay.com/virginunite. There is this item up for grabs and many others. I think the auction page says that new items go up ever week too.