Creativre Thinkers
Heath Spratlin
01/361
8/27/2012
Buddy Liston

Creative Thinkers

Patagonia was started out of necessity be Yvon Chouinard because he and his climbing friends could not find outdoor gear to meet there high quality standards. Patagonia was Chouinard’s second company having started Chouinard climbing which eventually became Black Diamond climbing equipment. Chouinard is considered as a expert mountaineer, skier, surfer, and fly fisherman. Chouinard has owned two of the most successful outdoor companies and made millions of dollars while keeping his close connection to wilderness and wildlife. Chouinard say’s “I loathe businessmen I never wanted to be one; I just wanted to be a fur trapper.” Through his business at Patagonia it has allowed Chouinard to support and champion the environmental issues that Chouinard feels are very vital for a better planet. Chouinard has made sure that Patagonia is an industry leader in Innovative products that do not harm the environment as well as Helping farmers learn better way’s to produce products with less affect on the planet. Patagonia has always been behind Grass Roots organizations whether it be for destroying Dams to improve salmon habitat or for organic farms and environmental issues. Patagonia gives 1% of it total profits back to the world wildlife Fund showing Chouinard realizes that we need to take care of the planet in order to survive. Chouinard has become everything he loathes but has not lost who he is and where he came from. Chouinard realizes that with out the beautiful wilderness he loves , he would not be in the position he is today to make a differencein the business world as well as in the outdoor industry through being able to be innovative and constantly adapting to change in the daily life.