Patagonia has been for me a blend of style, environmental choreography, activism, natural capitalism and sustainable business practices. The company immerses us in clothes that let us walk our talk and they do the same pairing us with nature as ally. Feeling comfortable out in the wild helps us maintain passion for the outdoor experience and keeps us coming back for more nature and yes, more Patagonia. From the early surfing days of its founder to being a global player devoted to sustainable practices and showing business how to prosper and be stewards of the environment, they set the tone inside and out. I can't live without my Patagonia down vest or my Capeline. Go for a little journey on their site and learn something http://bit.ly/dfpvAO
The renowned climber, businessman and environmentalist described Patagonia's journey from an outdoor clothing start-up, growing 50 percent per year, to a more considered, mature company growing at a "natural growth rate." The company's rapid growth collided with the recession of the early 1990s when the company's bankers called in their debt, nearly crippling Patagonia.
The company's near-extinction prompted Chouinard and his closest associates to take a long trip through the wilderness of Patagonia to redefine the mission of the company. They decided to focus Patagonia on "making the best product, causing no unnecessary harm, and using business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis." As such, the company only "makes more [product] when customers want it" and only sends catalogs to people who request them.