[ryanwaggoner]

This reads like the definition of sour grapes. Richard Branson has created multiple billion-dollar companies in different industries, but he's had some failures along the way! And he doesn't talk about them as much as his successes!

[johnmmix]

I posted the link because I'd guess the international readership of HN know about Branson/Virgin from the airline and music operations - which are clearly successful - whereas his domestic UK initiatives have a rather more mixed track record, but probably aren't as well known.

If the originally posted piece had been about Bill Gates giving advice to entrepreneurs, referring back to his billion-dollar successes with DOS, Windows and Office, then everyone here would be able to put that in context against the likes of MS Bob, Kin, antitrust investigations, etc. I'm not so sure that as many people will have endured the dubious pleasures of Virgin Rail.