A Q&A with Richard Branson

Last night in Toronto, Sir Richard Branson was joined by celebrity Chef Guy Rubino of AME Restuarant, Charles Khabouth, co-partner at Bisha Hotel, as well as top community leaders and philanthropists for a Virgin Unite (the non-profit foundation of The Virgin Group) fundraising dinner supporting its network of partners and programs dedicated to finding long-term solutions for the 65,000 homeless youth in Canada. During the silent auction, which included a seven-day visit to Sir Richard’s legendary private island, Zoomer Magazine Editor-In-Chief Suzanne Boyd sat down with Sir Richard, who excels in extreme adventure as well as business, for a quick chat.

SB: What inspired you to turn the resources of Virgin Unite to this Toronto-based issue?
RB: I was once driving from the airport in Toronto into the city, and it was winter, and I saw all these homeless kids. And I couldn’t believe that this was happening in a developed country and one like Canada.

SB: What message can Boomers pass on to the younger generation?
RB: They can help. Anyone in a position to help should. And they can teach the skills of entrepreneurship to help young people get ahead.