Q: I have started a couple of different entrepreneurial projects, hoping to one day create an empire similar to the one that you've built. I really admire how successful you've become by doing what you enjoy. I would like to do something similar. I'm passionate about business and about creating products and services that no one has thought of before. Your businesses are exactly what I want mine to be, focused on customer experience and quality.
As you have often pointed out, most successful entrepreneurs have had at least one, if not several, mentors. How can I become your mentee?
Justin Wragg
Thank you for your kind words, Justin. I'm thrilled to hear that you want to make a difference in business. You might be just starting out, but I can guarantee you that this sort of passion will keep your head and heart in the game for many years to come.
And thank you for your mentor request, too – I'm incredibly flattered! I frequently receive requests to take on mentees, often by people who read this column.
I'm a big fan of saying "yes, yes, yes" to most things in life and in business, but I'm not in a position to be the mentor that you or others deserve. For mentorship to work, the mentor and the mentee need to dedicate a significant amount of time to each other so that the partnership is truly helpful and meaningful. Leading the Virgin Group, which has dozens of companies across the globe, does not allow me to be available as often as you would need from a mentor.
It's hard to turn down such offers, particularly when I read stories like yours. Since I can't personally mentor all those who ask, I make a point of participating in events and activities where I can share my insights with other entrepreneurs, and learn from them in turn.
Every year, Virgin hosts the Fast Track 100 conference and awards dinner in England's Oxfordshire county. It's a wonderful daylong event at which I get to meet many of Britain's rising business stars and participate in a Q&A session afterward. There's always so much to talk about, and I always leave feeling inspired.
I meet many budding entrepreneurs through Virgin Media Business's VOOM competition. The entrants compete for the chance to pitch to and receive feedback from a panel of expert entrepreneurs, including yours truly, who may help them to turn their ideas into reality or accelerate their progress (one of this year's judges is Tyra Banks!).
The competition, which takes place over three months, focuses on mentoring, as British startups receive advice from Virgin StartUp's professional advisers along their journey.
I follow VOOM every year, and keep a close eye on the wonderful companies that are involved. When the finale comes around, I make sure I'm armed with some useful advice to help the finalists take their businesses onward and upward.
I also travel to entrepreneurship events all over the world. I recently visited the US to launch Virgin Atlantic's Business Is an Adventure panel series; a programme that examines how America's brightest business leaders make the adventure an epic one. It was such a pleasure to chat with entrepreneurs and hear from local business heroes in Washington and Los Angeles. I learned so much. That's the great thing about mentoring: It's a two-way street, and I'm constantly amazed at how much I learn from up-and-coming entrepreneurs. I encourage you to follow the adventure online, or, if you can, attend a future event!
I love to get out there and meet people, but when that's not possible, I use my blog as a platform for sharing knowledge, tips and reflections. Though I can't be a face-to-face mentor, I can be your virtual one if you log onto Virgin.com and follow me on social media.
One last thing, don't let my lack of availability prevent you from seeking out a mentor. Look for someone who has experience and connections in your industry. Make a list of the successful people in your community. Is there someone whom you admire and respect? Ask them to lunch, or simply ask them for 30 minutes of their time to chat. If no one comes to mind straight away, get out there and do some research.
Justin, you sound like an incredibly determined and enthusiastic entrepreneur, with your heart and head in the right place. I am certain that the right mentor is out there for you.
(Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group and companies such as Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, Virgin Mobile and Virgin Active. He maintains a blog at www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/richardbranson. To learn more about the Virgin Group: www.virgin.com.)
(Questions from readers will be answered in future columns. Please send them to Richard.Branson@nytimes.com. Please include your name, country, e-mail address and the name of the Web site or publication where you read the column.)