#DSRPT11 Explained and Sir Richard Interview

The weekend is quickly shaping up to be epic. There will be numerous luminaries dashing their way through the airport; President Obama, Buzz Aldrin, Sir Richard Branson, Patti LaBelle, Snooki, Tony Kornheiser, Greg Gillis and David Karp.

The weekend gets started with #DSRPT11 and Richard Rocks on Friday, shapes up with Saturday’s NASCAR and RVA Music Fest events, and hits an epic boil with Sunday’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance and the second part of RVA Music Fest.

#DSRPT11--it could make a nice license plate, for sure.

But what IS it? And why is Sir Richard Branson coming to the Richmond upon the James?

There are three events to the overall program, which is hosted by Richmond Unite, each of which is a fundraiser that will directly benefit 38 non-profits. Grab a look at the non-profits that will benefit, here. The final 38 were chosen through public voting.

#DSRPT11 is an 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. conference that will feature high profile ‘disruptors’ of thought and business. For the high price of a $199 to $249 ticket there will be access to thought-provoking conversations, with the intent to “innovate, interact, and involve.”

The event is billed as “a destination for people who want to make a difference and build a legacy for social good.”

That part of the day wraps-up with a LinkedInLive cocktail reception for the ultimate in net-working. You will need a drink to rejuvenate because the night, and the weekend will be long.

There are two other #DSRPT11 events, where “Richard Rocks Richmond.”

One is an intimate dinner of about 50 people, who will be rich enough to afford tickets to the private event at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA).

The next is Richard Rocks Richmond after party, from 9 p.m. to midnight, also at the VMFA.

This is an event with “hip young professionals in mind.” It is also billed as “cabaret-style celebration,” but as to what that means, I'm told, "we will all find out tomorrow."

There will be multiple bands, surprise guests, entertainment, refreshments and noshes.

There will be mingling with Sir Richard Branson. Yes, one should address him as Sir Richard.

And while the man might own many, many things, he’s absolutely fascinating.

Branson created Virgin records in 1972. He signed the Sex Pistols and released “God Save The Queen," in 1977--after A&M broke contract with the band and destroyed 25,000 copies of the single.

Allegedly, Virgin Airlines happened as a result of a cancelled flight to which he responded by renting a private plane and offered free seats to everyone aboard the cancelled flight.

When Branson isn’t trying to fix global problems with the likes of Peter Gabriel Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, and Jimmy Carter, he’s participating in hunger strikes, waging total nuclear disarmament, figuring out civilian space travel and breaking world records for numerous stunts.

He’s the man you want to be rich, because he has bigger concerns than just making more money for his own good.

While Sir Richard “did not feel comfortable answering all of the questions” that I posed, he did take the time to reply to a few out of the ten I sent.

Richmond.com: You named your first business, Virgin, due to the fact it was your first business venture. That type of transparency is respectable. Talk about that—how ethics, branding and business can work well when intertwined—and what it takes to pull it off. As well as what to do if one doesn’t first succeed.

Sir Richard Branson: I wasn't exactly thinking about ethics branding when Virgin was created but I appreciate that you noticed how important transparency is to me and the Virgin companies.

From the start, our brand values have been about shaking up stodgy industries and giving customers better value and a better experience. There is no shortage of complacent industries and areas of our society that can be improved - but for entrepreneurs like me and those at Richmond Unite, it is an opportunity to strive for better.

Richmond.com: In such times of economic hardship, and the job deficits that we have now, it’s hard for people to consider being a “Disruptor,”—it’s too risky.

Sir Richard Branson: When you hit bottom, there's nowhere else to go but up - so why not take risks? I don't mean risks just to do something or be reckless and but I mean smart risks that reflect ambition and confidence and that create opportunities and better business practices.

Richmond.com: You genuinely seem to want to use wealth, leadership and wisdom to tackle some of the world's toughest problems. Does it bother you when you see very wealthy people take no interest in bettering the world?

Sir Richard Branson: I think it's very important to make a meaningful contribution to society and help people regardless of your personal situation. At this moment, I'm thinking of the countless firefighters, police officers and volunteers who helped at the World Trade Center on and after 9/11 and also the flight attendants and passengers of the downed planes. Everyone has a responsibility to help other people -- and, as those on 9/11 demonstrated, has the ability to make an impact.

Richmond.com: You started Virgin Galactic. Have you ever been in space? If so, I definitely need to know what that is like.

Sir Richard Branson: Not yet - but that's why we're building Virgin Galactic!

Richmond.com: What made you agree to participate in this event, #DSRPT11?

Sir Richard Branson: I was invited by a future Virgin Galactic customer, Pat Hull, to join the Richmond VA community to celebrate its achievements and encourage even more innovative ways to improve the lives of those less fortunate and protect our natural resources. I think learning about the unique and generous efforts in Richmond is a great way to inspire others to do more.

Speakers at #DSRPT11 include:

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic
Andy Stefanovich, Chief Curator and Provocateur at Prophet
David Karp, founder of Tumblr
Harry Singer, President of Impress Your World
Jay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder of B-Lab
Kelly O’Keefe, VCU Brandcenter Professor and Founder, O’Keefe Brands
Anne Goddard, CEO of ChildFund International
Gabe O’Neil and Mary Margaret, Co-Founders of KidsAreHeroes.Org, an organization by kids, for kids
Jeff and Joey Anderson, Co-Founders of Bio Taxi
The B-Corp Panel, a panel of B-Corp founders who have been-there-done-that in social entrepreneurship