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Yvon Chouinard

Founder of Patagonia

United States · b. 1938

Founded the outdoor clothing company Patagonia in 1973, having started by forging climbing pitons. In September 2022 he and his family transferred ownership of the company to a trust and a non-profit.

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What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you have ever made — of money, time, or energy?

I never wanted to be a businessman. I started as a craftsman, making climbing gear for my friends and myself, then got into apparel. As we began to witness the extent of global warming and ecological destruction, and our own contribution to it, Patagonia committed to using our company to change the way business was done. If we could do the right thing while making enough to pay the bills, we could influence customers and other businesses, and maybe change the system along the way.

Recorded Open letter published by Patagonia, 14 September 2022 source

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What are you unwilling to optimise?

One option was to sell Patagonia and donate all the money. But we couldn't be sure a new owner would maintain our values or keep our team of people around the world employed. Another path was to take the company public. What a disaster that would have been. Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility. Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own.

Recorded Open letter published by Patagonia, 14 September 2022 source

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