The Education of a Reluctant Businessman--Including 10 More Years of Business Unusual

Yvon Chouinard began his foray into business as a way to create a product for himself and his climbing colleagues. His desire to life an unconventional lifestyle, along with his mother's philanthropic influence, led him to create what Patagonia is today: a socially responsible business that makes high quality products while tending to the environment and its employees. Chouinard believes in his people and they in turn trust him.

Author, "Trust is Everything: Become the leader others will follow"

mix of Business Principles, Environmental Concerns and Independent Thinking.

Includes history of Great Pacific Ironworks and Patagonia, Inc.

great information, and relaxing recap of days gone by...

A life time of scaling up, paddling up, taking off and bailing out. Read, run, read again. In a world flush with other people's money and assumed leaders, Patagonia sits in a better, far better alternative universe.

Anyone looking to start a business, especially in clothing, can pick up some good lessons fairly quickly in this book. I recommend it as a good book for learning a few lessons without having to go through the mistakes in your own business career.

Heart warming story to see that big business can make a profit while still providing quailty non toxic goods to their consumer. Love the 1% giveback for environmental causes. We only have one planet to live on. It deserves our respect.

Love this book. I liked Patagonia products before I read this, but after reading it, I will buy Patagonia before I even look at other companies. His dedication to environmental responsibility is what leads his life, and a great company with socially/environmentally responsible policies has resulted. Good read for anyone who really wants to find out about what Patagonia is all about.

Perhaps this book should be a must read for every small business owner who still has enough control over his company to implement changes towards environmental awareness. Magnificient work from the Chouinards and from my perspective they deserve a standing ovation as business owners!

Every one has their "must read" books and this is one of mine. I can't tell you how many people whom I've recommended buying this but whatever industry you work in, "Let My People Go Surfing" is a blueprint for any one involved with management or production. Check it out.

this book made me fall in love with yvon chounaird... i was just a surfer and a skier when i read it and never thought i would ever start rock climbing. this year i started and got to semi lead one of yvon's routes in yosemite.
i have given this book to businessmen and small business owners to help navigate the complexities of running your own business. it taught me so much about my own small business and how not to comprise when it comes to the environment.
thank you yvon for your contribution to sports, business, mothers, the environment and constantly making us think about capitalism, consumerism and environmentalism.

Regardless of what you think about the cost of Patagonia products this book is a story of how a man's vision has been the guiding light for the Patagonia brand. Always a pioneer in regards to the family first philosophy Yvon Chouinard understands that creating a brand starts with employees that believe in your vision and are treated like family. Of course all the things that Patagonia have done for the environment are important as well. This is a must read for anyone and everyone. Want to know why Patagonia costs so much and very rarely is on sale? Patagonia stands behind their products 100% EVEN AFTER YEARS of use. That's one of the many reasons why Patagonia is such a great company. This book talks about the philosophy of happy employees that are empowered to make decisions (including going surfing during work hours). The employees will work harder and treat the company like it's their own if you hire the right people and trust them. That's Patagonia's secret to success.

This book has been an inspiration. I have met Yvon several years ago in Boston and finally had a chance to read his book, which helped me shape some of my own views on the purpose of our professional lives and our responsibility to the planet and society.

The history of Patagonia as company is very interesting and helped shape my understanding of their corporate philosophies. I would recommend to anyone in business that wants to understand YCs business thinking.