You might not own a major airline or your own island. You may not have created your own brand of cola, or flown across the Atlantic (and Pacific) in a hot-air balloon. And solving the world's projected oil shortage and exploring new horizons in space travel may not be high on your to-do list, but you might share more with Sir Richard Branson of Virgin mega-fame than you think.

In the latest Inside the Entrepreneurial Mind online video series, Richard Branson speaks candidly about what it's like to be an entrepreneur in challenging times. When asked about the current financial situation, he responds: It is the smaller businesses that are gonna get America back on its feet again. And its up to all of us entrepreneurs to get out there and do everything we can to build new businesses, to make sure that we get our own businesses stronger, to do everything we can to find new opportunities and not give up.

Watch our exclusive interview to find out what drives this iconic entrepreneur to constantly innovate, his advice for reaching consumers, and what the Virgin brand is really about.

Check OPEN Forum regularly for new installments of Inside the Entrepreneurial Mind. Archived series available for viewing include New Perspectives on Business featuring business experts Seth Godin and Tom Peters, The Business of Food with Top Chef's Tom Colicchio and The Business of Technology with Facebook and Wikipedia pioneers Sean Parker and Jimmy Wales.

As times change, OPEN Forum will continue to evolve to keep you up to date on the latest affecting your business. Share your comments on Branson on Business with us.