Patagonia's Philosopher King (2016)(newyorker.com)
newyorker.com
Patagonia's Philosopher King (2016)
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/19/patagonias-philosopher-king
58 comments
I too was extremely lucky to visit the Ventura headquarters on a random trip to the area several years ago. I was going to get a "surf lesson" from Chipper (who I was half-jokingly told was the highest paid receptionist in the world) but he needed to reschedule. By happenstance, Yvon was there and he was going to hand forge a piton in the old tin shed ... the piton would be auctioned off (for the AAC I believe).
Chipper said, "I can't surf right now but you can go watch Yvon make a piton if you want ... oh here is Yvon right now ... Yvon, meet (my name), (my name), meet Yvon." So I turn and there he is. He's tiny, he smiles, we shake hands quickly, and he's out the door. I'm like, hell yeah ... I want to watch him make a Piton.
Chipper quickly walks me over to the tin shed, opens the door and shoves me into the standing room only shed filled with Patagonia employees who look at me like "who is this interloper?" for a split second before returning their attention to Yvon, who has started doing his thing. Over the next 30 minutes Yvon narrated as he took a piece of iron, heated it, hammered it, forged it, bent it, ground it with the original metal working machines (all older than me). It was as if nothing in the tin shed had changed in decades ... nothing had been cleaned or moved. It was exactly as it had been. And Yvon busted out a perfect Angle piton as expertly as if it was 1960-something.
A bit of Tin Shed action can be seen in the awesome movie Mountain of Storms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympydy7f1Mg
I look back on it now 12 years later as if it was a dream ... but no, I was there. Like the author of the article, I am a 90's guy who found my callings via the Patagonia catalog (I still have my 1st one, Spring 1992). I moved from Kentucky to the mountain west after high school and over the years became a climber, ww kayaker, skier, surfer, mtb'er, etc ... just like Yvon, but never to his level ... dude was an athletic badass before his time. He's also in reality an avant-garde political, social, business and environmental badass well beyond our current understandings IMO. I feel very lucky to have met him and watched him make that piton.
Chipper said, "I can't surf right now but you can go watch Yvon make a piton if you want ... oh here is Yvon right now ... Yvon, meet (my name), (my name), meet Yvon." So I turn and there he is. He's tiny, he smiles, we shake hands quickly, and he's out the door. I'm like, hell yeah ... I want to watch him make a Piton.
Chipper quickly walks me over to the tin shed, opens the door and shoves me into the standing room only shed filled with Patagonia employees who look at me like "who is this interloper?" for a split second before returning their attention to Yvon, who has started doing his thing. Over the next 30 minutes Yvon narrated as he took a piece of iron, heated it, hammered it, forged it, bent it, ground it with the original metal working machines (all older than me). It was as if nothing in the tin shed had changed in decades ... nothing had been cleaned or moved. It was exactly as it had been. And Yvon busted out a perfect Angle piton as expertly as if it was 1960-something.
A bit of Tin Shed action can be seen in the awesome movie Mountain of Storms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympydy7f1Mg
I look back on it now 12 years later as if it was a dream ... but no, I was there. Like the author of the article, I am a 90's guy who found my callings via the Patagonia catalog (I still have my 1st one, Spring 1992). I moved from Kentucky to the mountain west after high school and over the years became a climber, ww kayaker, skier, surfer, mtb'er, etc ... just like Yvon, but never to his level ... dude was an athletic badass before his time. He's also in reality an avant-garde political, social, business and environmental badass well beyond our current understandings IMO. I feel very lucky to have met him and watched him make that piton.
I hung out with Chipper too, which was delightful. He took me out for a surfing lesson, but there were no waves that day. With my background in ultimate Frisbee and his freestyling, we had a great time tossing the disc instead.
As it turns out, I had stood next to Yvon in the cafeteria without realizing it. Chipper told him about me but this was November 2018 and there were huge nearby wildfires. Yvon said he had to help his community.
Chipper also took me to the tin shed and for the rest of my visit people treated my visiting it as a sign of honor so I took it that way. Since visiting it, I've noticed the phrase "tin shed" in a lot of their literature and now I know why.
Incidentally, I buy clothes almost only from thrift shops, which means no Patagonia. Their stuff doesn't make it to second-hand, which I conclude is a mix of their fixing policies and quality of manufacture.
As it turns out, I had stood next to Yvon in the cafeteria without realizing it. Chipper told him about me but this was November 2018 and there were huge nearby wildfires. Yvon said he had to help his community.
Chipper also took me to the tin shed and for the rest of my visit people treated my visiting it as a sign of honor so I took it that way. Since visiting it, I've noticed the phrase "tin shed" in a lot of their literature and now I know why.
Incidentally, I buy clothes almost only from thrift shops, which means no Patagonia. Their stuff doesn't make it to second-hand, which I conclude is a mix of their fixing policies and quality of manufacture.
> Incidentally, I buy clothes almost only from thrift shops, which means no Patagonia.
I don't know if you've heard about this, but Patagonia offers second-hand buying opportunities. This is the site, more or less refurbished Patagonia wornwear.patagonia.com
I don't know if you've heard about this, but Patagonia offers second-hand buying opportunities. This is the site, more or less refurbished Patagonia wornwear.patagonia.com
Same here ... no waves either. But we tried and it was fun.
Great story, thanks for sharing. Chipper Bro is THE MAN, he deserves the pay he gets!
I have never been into an HQ as welcoming as Patagonia's. The cafeteria alone is worth a visit!
I have never been into an HQ as welcoming as Patagonia's. The cafeteria alone is worth a visit!
Haha ... Chipper Bro! Indeed.
This is an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.
A movie I haven't yet seen mentioned in this thread is 180 Degrees South [0] which looks at a man following in the steps of Yvon, Doug Thompson, Lito Tejada-Flores, and Dick Dorworth who climbed the first American ascent of Fitz Roy after driving to Patagonia from Ventura, CA.
Dorworth is one of my favorite authors who's memoir, titled Night Driving, includes the story of the drive to Patagonia. I have read and re-read Night Driving countless times and I'm sure will continue to do so.
Dorworth's story, Climbing to Freedom [1], fully encompasses everything I love about being in the mountains.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_Degrees_South:_Conquerors_...
[1] https://sustainableplay.com/climbing-to-freedom/
A movie I haven't yet seen mentioned in this thread is 180 Degrees South [0] which looks at a man following in the steps of Yvon, Doug Thompson, Lito Tejada-Flores, and Dick Dorworth who climbed the first American ascent of Fitz Roy after driving to Patagonia from Ventura, CA.
Dorworth is one of my favorite authors who's memoir, titled Night Driving, includes the story of the drive to Patagonia. I have read and re-read Night Driving countless times and I'm sure will continue to do so.
Dorworth's story, Climbing to Freedom [1], fully encompasses everything I love about being in the mountains.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_Degrees_South:_Conquerors_...
[1] https://sustainableplay.com/climbing-to-freedom/
Here's a quote from his amazing book, Let My People Go Surfing:
"When I look at my business today, I realize one of the biggest challenges I have is combating complacency. I always say we're running Patagonia as if it's going to b e here a hundred years from now, but that doesn't mean we have a hundred years to get there! Our success and longevity lie in our ability to change quickly. Continuous change and innovation require maintaining a sense of urgency--a tall order, especially in Patagonia's seemingly laid-back corporate culture. In fact, one of the biggest mandates I have for managers at the company is to instigate change. It's the only way we're going to survive in the long run."
"When I look at my business today, I realize one of the biggest challenges I have is combating complacency. I always say we're running Patagonia as if it's going to b e here a hundred years from now, but that doesn't mean we have a hundred years to get there! Our success and longevity lie in our ability to change quickly. Continuous change and innovation require maintaining a sense of urgency--a tall order, especially in Patagonia's seemingly laid-back corporate culture. In fact, one of the biggest mandates I have for managers at the company is to instigate change. It's the only way we're going to survive in the long run."
If you want to understand Yvon Chouinard as a person beyond reading Let My People Go Surfing, you should watch "180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless"[0]. While Yvon only appears for about twenty minutes within the movie, his presence is woven all throughout the film.
Part of what made Patagonia as a company different is the no BS mentality instilled within him from his dirt bagging days spent climbing around California, Patagonia, and New Hampshire. There's a wonderful moment in the movie where Jeff Johnson and Yvon are climbing some first ascent and Jeff asks "what should we name it when we're done?" and Yvon replies, "nothing, just climb it, be done, and go home".
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_Degrees_South%3A_Conqueror...
Part of what made Patagonia as a company different is the no BS mentality instilled within him from his dirt bagging days spent climbing around California, Patagonia, and New Hampshire. There's a wonderful moment in the movie where Jeff Johnson and Yvon are climbing some first ascent and Jeff asks "what should we name it when we're done?" and Yvon replies, "nothing, just climb it, be done, and go home".
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_Degrees_South%3A_Conqueror...
> require maintaining a sense of urgency--a tall order, especially in Patagonia's seemingly laid-back corporate culture
Interesting... so which is it? Is the "laid back" thing just marketing and they're running people around just like many other places, or do they things some other way?
Interesting... so which is it? Is the "laid back" thing just marketing and they're running people around just like many other places, or do they things some other way?
It's not marketing ... it's a work smart, play hard culture.
I've seen places where it's like that joke where the guy goes to hell and has to pick a room. The one room that seems most appealing has a bunch of people standing around in shit drinking beer and talking. Beats the other really unpleasant rooms where people have to stand on their heads on hard surfaces, so he picks it. He's getting settled in when the devil says "ok, break's over, heads down".
What those places have are pictures on their hiring site of people doing fun outdoor stuff or enjoying themselves, and a few stories of what a great culture they have.
But the actual culture is one where it's quite stressful and no one much really does the fun things any more than any other place, because ... "a sense of urgency".
I've heard a lot of good things about Patagonia though, so I think my cynical observations about some other places I've seen above may not be accurate, which makes me curious how things are actually run, day to day. I don't think it's easy to keep that balance, long term.
BTW: sometimes lots of urgency is fine too, but let's all be honest about it.
What those places have are pictures on their hiring site of people doing fun outdoor stuff or enjoying themselves, and a few stories of what a great culture they have.
But the actual culture is one where it's quite stressful and no one much really does the fun things any more than any other place, because ... "a sense of urgency".
I've heard a lot of good things about Patagonia though, so I think my cynical observations about some other places I've seen above may not be accurate, which makes me curious how things are actually run, day to day. I don't think it's easy to keep that balance, long term.
BTW: sometimes lots of urgency is fine too, but let's all be honest about it.
I've talked to a few people who work (or worked) at Patagonia recently. They said that LMPGS paints a pretty accurate picture of the company. People are passionate and care about doing a good job, but they also care about enjoying their lives and getting a surf session in when the swell is good.
I would argue that it's necessary to keep a good balance long term. Especially within the outdoor industry, Patagonia isn't going to show up as authentic if their statements about culture are just window dressing. And if people aren't able to pursue their other passions without sacrificing their careers, eventually something will give... And people don't always choose to keep their desk job. So they're either going to lose touch with their consumer and lose their employees... or they're flexible with their hours and let people go surfing. Seems like an easy decision to me.
I would argue that it's necessary to keep a good balance long term. Especially within the outdoor industry, Patagonia isn't going to show up as authentic if their statements about culture are just window dressing. And if people aren't able to pursue their other passions without sacrificing their careers, eventually something will give... And people don't always choose to keep their desk job. So they're either going to lose touch with their consumer and lose their employees... or they're flexible with their hours and let people go surfing. Seems like an easy decision to me.
Both "Let My People Go Surfing" [0] and the slightly more CEO-palatable "The Responsible Company" [1] are must-reads for people who run things / buy things.
[0]: https://amzn.to/31SyWY0 [1]: https://amzn.to/2Z80ZFS
[0]: https://amzn.to/31SyWY0 [1]: https://amzn.to/2Z80ZFS
1) A person should buy these books directly from Patagonia (not Amazon ... in many ways a business diametrically opposed to the Patagonia corporate culture). 2) He as a new book called "Some Stories". Equally good.
As long as you buy used! It looks like Patagonia just sells new versions. Better yet, borrow from a library or friend.
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One thing that they do fantastically well is the repair program, which is also good for the world instead of their bottom line.
Even years-old winter coats you can bring into a store and they will send it off for repair, instead of you having to buy a new one.
Even years-old winter coats you can bring into a store and they will send it off for repair, instead of you having to buy a new one.
The zipper of a down jacket I bought from them would get stuck. They repaired it twice for me, and the third time I took it for repair, they gave me a new one. This was 4 years after I bought it, no receipt needed. I would assume that the old jacket went into their recycling program.
The new jacket came with a sturdier zipper, so it also showed that they acknowledged the design flaw. I've been using this jacket for the last 5 years, and it is still holding well (and never again had a problem with the zipper).
The new jacket came with a sturdier zipper, so it also showed that they acknowledged the design flaw. I've been using this jacket for the last 5 years, and it is still holding well (and never again had a problem with the zipper).
They also have a truck they tour around to various events to do on-site repairs. I've encountered it at 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell (endurance rock climbing competition), it's very cool!
https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear.html
https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear.html
If you can go to one of their stores I highly recommend it. The associate walked a guy to a shoe repair shop and paid for a zipper on a backpack they no longer make. This was after offering him a new one but he liked the old style.
My puppy eviscerated the back of a merino wool sweater two days after I bought it. Patagonia repaired it for the cost of shipping.
Good profile. I feel like the author was having a lot of fun with his thesaurus:
"He has a lifelong habit of collecting garrulous friends and yet a tendency to induce some measure of taciturnity in all but the most voluble of them. His style of reticence is contagious."
"He has a lifelong habit of collecting garrulous friends and yet a tendency to induce some measure of taciturnity in all but the most voluble of them. His style of reticence is contagious."
haha, I guess I'm around a lot of bookish & verbal friends. That sentence didn't strike me as odd in the slightest.
I'd suggest that it's not so much the particular words, it's that all the "oddball" words in the sentence are directly Latin-derived -- garrulous, taciturnity, voluble, reticence. This is what gives the sentence a somewhat forced tone - perhaps a good Anglo-Saxon term might provide a punch.
Probably the stock phrases, "collecting friends", "some measure of X", "all but the most", "style is contagious", don't help either.
The quoted words don't seem that well-crafted, but the content of the observation serves as a good character sketch.
Probably the stock phrases, "collecting friends", "some measure of X", "all but the most", "style is contagious", don't help either.
The quoted words don't seem that well-crafted, but the content of the observation serves as a good character sketch.
Your friends are probably very garrulous. :)
Personal hero of mine. He pops up in lots of mountaineering documentaries. If only more CEOs were like this.
“I realized we were just growing for the sake of growing, which is bullshit.”
“I realized we were just growing for the sake of growing, which is bullshit.”
Yeah I really recommend the documentary 180° South [1] which has both Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia) and Doug Tompkins (The North Face) and has them talking about their philosophy and conservation efforts as well. (A guy retraces a journey these two made in Patagonia back in the 60s.)
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1407927/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC9k2N9z3SI
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1407927/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC9k2N9z3SI
To go along with that recommendation, I'd add Chouinard's book:
https://www.patagonia.com/product/let-my-people-go-surfing-r...
https://www.patagonia.com/product/let-my-people-go-surfing-r...
Watch the original ... 180 South was based on ... Mountain of Storms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympydy7f1Mg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympydy7f1Mg
This is great, thanks! I was wondering where the guy who made the other documentary got the old footage.
The youtube video is unfortunately unavailable in my country (USA).
we don't grow "for the sake of growing", there's plenty of poor people in the world that need that growth. Whether that growth reaches them is another story..
Read this profile a few weeks ago on a flight, what a badass. Patagonia’s summer sale is currently going on [0]. They seem to be one of the few companies that actually takes sustainability seriously so I don’t mind the more premium prices of there garments. There 5" baggie’s shorts are a personal favorite of mine.
[0] https://www.patagonia.com/shop/web-specials
[0] https://www.patagonia.com/shop/web-specials
Is Patagonia's marketing at heart not Greenwashing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwashing) ?
I get that they source materials ethically and do things way better than 90% of other clothing companies.
Surely if they truly wanted to minimise their impact on the planet, they would rid their stores of sales and cut back on the amount of new styles/designs that they release.
Where I live there are around 3 patagonia outlets that are always promoting sales of up to 80% off, and that just seems so off compared to what they claim to stand for.
I get that they source materials ethically and do things way better than 90% of other clothing companies.
Surely if they truly wanted to minimise their impact on the planet, they would rid their stores of sales and cut back on the amount of new styles/designs that they release.
Where I live there are around 3 patagonia outlets that are always promoting sales of up to 80% off, and that just seems so off compared to what they claim to stand for.
Chouinard is quoted about this in the article:
“But I’ve become cynical about whether we can have any influence,” Chouinard said. “Everyone’s just greenwashing. The revolution isn’t going to happen with corporations. The elephant in the room is growth. Growth is the culprit.”
“But I’ve become cynical about whether we can have any influence,” Chouinard said. “Everyone’s just greenwashing. The revolution isn’t going to happen with corporations. The elephant in the room is growth. Growth is the culprit.”
> “Everyone’s just greenwashing. The revolution isn’t going to happen with corporations. The elephant in the room is growth. Growth is the culprit.”
Unchecked growth is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Kind of an interesting analogy.
Unchecked growth is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Kind of an interesting analogy.
Is there any theory/ideas about how a "post-growth" economy would/could function?
There are many, it's a very old, very well thought-out tradition. Try reading Kropotkin, or from a more modern perspective, Richard Wolff.
However, it doesn't align with the current vision of orthodox Western capitalism, so it isn't particularly popular in mainstream media or culture.
However, it doesn't align with the current vision of orthodox Western capitalism, so it isn't particularly popular in mainstream media or culture.
> Surely if they truly wanted to minimise their impact on the planet, they would rid their stores of sales and cut back on the amount of new styles/designs that they release.
Yes-- if Patagonia weren't a capitalist endeavor it would have a smaller impact on the planet. :)
I'd venture to guess that the largest minimization occurs because their customers can wear a large number of their garments for a decade or more before they begin to break down due to normal wear and tear. Moreover, one could send back any garment from any period in their history (barring underwear) and if it's salvageable they'll repair it. Their refurbishing program even supports at least one brick-and-mortar refurbished clothing store that I know of.
Can you imagine the environmental impact if Apple had anything resembling such a program? Or hell, if Apple simply ceased lobbying against the right-to-repair...
Yes-- if Patagonia weren't a capitalist endeavor it would have a smaller impact on the planet. :)
I'd venture to guess that the largest minimization occurs because their customers can wear a large number of their garments for a decade or more before they begin to break down due to normal wear and tear. Moreover, one could send back any garment from any period in their history (barring underwear) and if it's salvageable they'll repair it. Their refurbishing program even supports at least one brick-and-mortar refurbished clothing store that I know of.
Can you imagine the environmental impact if Apple had anything resembling such a program? Or hell, if Apple simply ceased lobbying against the right-to-repair...
What is the problem with companies offering sales?
No problem with companies putting something on sale.
One of their values is that:
"We know that our business activity—from lighting stores to dyeing shirts—is part of the problem. We work steadily to change our business practices and share what we’ve learned. But we recognize that this is not enough. We seek not only to do less harm, but more good."
Running sales, just generates more impulse purchases and consumerism. If the products they make are truly the best that they can, they wouldn't have the need to clear out stock on a regular basis and to make way for new styles being made all the time.
Furthermore, they love to plaster their branding all over the "Big Oil, Don't Surf" campaigns (of which I do think is a good cause), but it's a little hypocritic when the surf industry wouldn't exist without oil, not to mention that their own wetsuits contain synthetic rubber (derived from oil).
One of their values is that:
"We know that our business activity—from lighting stores to dyeing shirts—is part of the problem. We work steadily to change our business practices and share what we’ve learned. But we recognize that this is not enough. We seek not only to do less harm, but more good."
Running sales, just generates more impulse purchases and consumerism. If the products they make are truly the best that they can, they wouldn't have the need to clear out stock on a regular basis and to make way for new styles being made all the time.
Furthermore, they love to plaster their branding all over the "Big Oil, Don't Surf" campaigns (of which I do think is a good cause), but it's a little hypocritic when the surf industry wouldn't exist without oil, not to mention that their own wetsuits contain synthetic rubber (derived from oil).
> Running sales, just generates more impulse purchases and consumerism
You probably didn't hear of their "Don't buy this jacket" campaign: https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2011/11/dont-buy-this-jacket-... They also promote buying used items through their WornWear program.
If people didn't buy from Pata, they'd probably be giving their money to TNF or Columbia or some other company that is far worse for the environment. None of the others are certified B corporations. I'm glad it exists as a better option, even if it's not perfectly zero impact.
You probably didn't hear of their "Don't buy this jacket" campaign: https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2011/11/dont-buy-this-jacket-... They also promote buying used items through their WornWear program.
If people didn't buy from Pata, they'd probably be giving their money to TNF or Columbia or some other company that is far worse for the environment. None of the others are certified B corporations. I'm glad it exists as a better option, even if it's not perfectly zero impact.
Patagonia runs sales partially for the same reason anyone else does, which is to clear out inventory that didn’t sell at full price.
But unlike most other companies, Patagonia also plans ahead for some inventory to go at sale prices, in order to serve dirtbag outdoors lifers who would never pay full price... the same sort of people who started Patagonia a long time ago.
This was explained to me by a Patagonia sales rep about 20 years ago when I worked retail. I assume it’s still true because their end of season sales still seem to have prime inventory in them.
But unlike most other companies, Patagonia also plans ahead for some inventory to go at sale prices, in order to serve dirtbag outdoors lifers who would never pay full price... the same sort of people who started Patagonia a long time ago.
This was explained to me by a Patagonia sales rep about 20 years ago when I worked retail. I assume it’s still true because their end of season sales still seem to have prime inventory in them.
Some people simply won't purchase unless it is on sale. Better to own one quality pair of shorts than two cheaper mediocre pairs. Also, advocating for drastic reductions of oil extraction does not mean you have to give up oil completely. The world is in trouble not because we use oil, but because we use way, way too much of it when viable alternatives exist.
This is clearing out products that haven't sold. Making sure they find a home instead of having to get rid of them in the trash.
Patagonia has admitted that at the end of the day, they are a company in a capitalist society. They know, and have said many times, it's better to re-use or keep longer what you have than to buy something new. But at the end of the day, do you want to buy from a company that does absolutely nothing for the environment or a company that at least, tries to minimize their impact? They are probably one of the best company out there when it comes to sustainability.
Let's stop trying to bring down the companies that are actually doing better and criticize the companies that do absolutely nothing. Perfect is the enemy of good.
Patagonia has admitted that at the end of the day, they are a company in a capitalist society. They know, and have said many times, it's better to re-use or keep longer what you have than to buy something new. But at the end of the day, do you want to buy from a company that does absolutely nothing for the environment or a company that at least, tries to minimize their impact? They are probably one of the best company out there when it comes to sustainability.
Let's stop trying to bring down the companies that are actually doing better and criticize the companies that do absolutely nothing. Perfect is the enemy of good.
But their wetsuits are 85% natural rubber, by far leading the industry. https://www.patagonia.com/yulex-natural-rubber-wetsuits.html
Everything has an impact.
The ultimate act of conservation is suicide. Few are that committed. We are all hypocrites.
The ultimate act of conservation is suicide. Few are that committed. We are all hypocrites.
I think doing something positive with you life (e.g. advocating for people to make responsible procreation decisions) could give you a net positive existence. I think advocating people commit suicide isn't going to win you many adherents though (unless you have a really cool story about where you go after suicide, e.g. Heaven's Gate :P).
I saw him speak a few years back, and he called for radical ideas, like suggesting the entire concept of a publicly traded company as we know it allows companies to throw their hands in the air in regards to their ethics in regards to the environment. This extends into their repair program, and various other sustainability focused goals.
Patagonia is certainly one of the rare examples of what a modern ethical company would look like (however this often includes the fact that their goods are much higher priced than what you find at walmart).
Patagonia is certainly one of the rare examples of what a modern ethical company would look like (however this often includes the fact that their goods are much higher priced than what you find at walmart).
Vote with your wallet, pay for good quality and ethical treatment of manufacturers.
I've done a lot of work with Patagonia, visited their HQ numerous times, and have become friends with a handful of their employees. They are not driven by profit, but by a will to do what is right in the world and for their customers. This all starts and ends with Yvon. This is how you build a culture. It should be studied for generations.
I can't express how great they are to work with as a client -- smart people and everyone's heart is in the right place.
I can't express how great they are to work with as a client -- smart people and everyone's heart is in the right place.
All of the gear I've bought from them has been better than the competition in some way that matters. For example I have a couple of sun hoodies from Columbia, and one from Patagonia, and the Patagonia ones cool actively even when there isn't a breeze while the Columbia ones require a light breeze for the cooling fabric to work. They're both great products but the Patagonia one is honestly worth the extra $20.00 or so.
I thoroughly enjoyed the NPR podcast "How I Built This" episode [0] on Yvon, it was really interesting hearing his story!
[0] https://www.npr.org/2018/02/06/572558864/patagonia-yvon-chou...
[0] https://www.npr.org/2018/02/06/572558864/patagonia-yvon-chou...
I asked a random employee to join me for lunch. Whatever I asked about company vision, culture, etc she knew. When I asked why they did this or that thing a certain way, she'd say things like "Person A saw a problem with how we were doing it before, but couldn't solve it. Person B figured out how to solve it but couldn't implement it. Person C implemented it."
Critical to all their decisions, as I heard, were the environment, employees, suppliers' employees, and customers.
In most places, Person A's recognition of a problem would lead to everyone else saying, "Well, what can you do?" and leave it. If by some chance person B solved it despite the inertia, people would respond, "But what about X or Y" or some edge case and leave it.
Nearly any company could learn from Patagonia's culture.