Want A Brand That Hits Different? Break Sh*t Like Branson Did

I’ll never forget the time I spent on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson.

We were all barefoot, sunburnt, and breaking *ice* plates on his tennis court (yes, really)

The whole time I kept thinking about how crazy it was that this guy built a MULTIBILLION-dollar empire by giving the middle finger to entire industries.

Branson didn’t try to compete.
He refused to blend in.

He drove a tank down Fifth Avenue to launch Virgin Cola.
He’s bungee-jumped off buildings.
He dressed in drag to promote Virgin Brides.

He’s crashed his own lookalike contests.

Not for the headlines.
For the brand.

Why did he go to such extremes?

“Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealized, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character and no public trust.” - Sir Richard Branson‍

Oof.
You don’t need to drive a tank.
But you do need more texture.

So… what does this actually mean for your website?

Let’s make it tangible.

Most creative companies today are trying so hard to look “professional”.

Same template layouts.
Same safe copy.
Same portfolio grids with zero emotional pull.

If you want to be remembered, you can’t just show what you do.
You have to show how it feels to be in the room with you.

You need more texture.‍

Here’s where you can start‍

1. Ditch the template look.
If your site looks like 47 others, it’s not working.
Branson is known for being different. That isn't achieved with templates.

2. Create immersive moments.
Don’t just show your work. Pull people into it.
Your site should feel like a step into your world.

3. Use authentic, interesting visuals.
No more stock photography. No more placeholder icons.
Show your real team. Your real process. Your real vibe.

4. Add depth and context to your case studies.
Skip the corporate before/after. Show the journey.
Share the pain. The breakthrough moment. The relief.

5. Design engaging interactions.
Branson made business feel like entertainment.
You can do the same with subtle animations, storytelling, and play.

6. Let your work breathe.
Stop cramming everything above the fold.
Pace your story. Build curiosity. Create space to explore.

Branson once said: “Branding demands commitment to continual reinvention, stirring emotions, and imagination.”

So does your site.

\It’s not a static asset.
It’s a living, breathing expression of how you think and show up in the world.

Let everyone else play it safe.

You have an honest shot at being unforgettable.

‍

If this hit home, I write things like this every week in Ekte's email newsletter. I share honest thoughts, lessons from behind the scenes, and the kind of strategy talk most people don’t post online.

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