Book Review: Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

I admit that I love to rip on Patagonia. Mostly in jest. It’s the parody level VC vests, and the practical but not particularly stylish micro puff jackets  everyone living in the Pacific Northwest wears. 

I’ve come around and have to give it to the company - the founding story, values, and execution over many years are undeniably impressive. The Annapurna pilgrimage gave me a new appreciation for the seriousness of the crisis facing our planet and a respect for those doing their part. I started with this recent interview with founder, Yvon Chouinard. I also read the entire book on the history and business philosophy of Patagonia, called Let My People Go Surfing .

Quotes:

Everything man does creates more harm than good. We have to accept that fact and not delude ourselves into thinking something is sustainable. Then you can try to achieve a situation where you’re causing the least amount of harm possible. That’s the spin we put on it. It’s a never-ending summit. You’re just climbing forever. You’ll never get to the top, but it’s the journey.

FC: What role has your Buddhism played in finding that approach?

YC: You can approach Zen in different ways. One way is you can sit there and contemplate your navel all day long. I just approached it through action, whether it’s sport or business.

YC: There is a book from the Henokiens, an organization of companies that have been in business for 200 years minimum. Of course there are hardly any American companies; they are either Japanese or European. How are they able to stay in business for 200 years? Well, they couldn’t grow 15% a year for 200 years, let me tell you that. [Laughs] They were able to diversify, and they’re not the same company as when they started. Some of them started out as a blacksmith’s shop, like I did. But they have purposely held back on growth for the sake of longevity.