That Time I Interviewed Richard Branson

Richard Branson in San Francisco/Photo by Aron Ives

On the eve of Virgin America's inaugural launch to Honolulu, I was lucky enough to interview Richard Branson at his hotel in San Francisco.

While I desperately wanted to ask him travel questions (like what suitcase he uses, whether he rolls or folds, or how many passports he has filled), our 30-minute conversation was primarily focused on work-life balance. From why he believes in flexible work schedules to why delegating gives him more time for trying new things, Branson also let us in on his secret to handling his inbox — answering two weeks' worth of emails during otherwise wasted time on long plane rides.

Here are a few of his answers to questions that we crowdsourced from LinkedIn members:

Richard Branson: How to Juggle Work and Life in Your Early Years from LinkedIn Pulse

Richard Branson: How I Unplug from LinkedIn Pulse

In a "lightning round" of questions, Branson also reflected on his sky-high goals in space while reaffirming his plan to conquer the next big unknown: the ocean.

Richard Branson Answers Your Top 10 Questions from LinkedIn Pulse

Best Travel Gear for Business Travelers: 10 Picks

Most business travelers are able to breeze through airport security with just a carry-on, inducing both envy and promises that "I'll pack lighter next time." To help you pack lighter for your next trip, I interviewed 10 experts for their favorite business travel gear. After all, business travelers have perfected the art of packing light.

View the slideshow at HuffingtonPost.com, ABCNews.com, or see the original slideshow that I created for LinkedIn.

Photo by Amy Chen