In order to understand how Patagonia became the brand it is today, you need to go back and follow the founder Yvon Chouinard.
Yvon loved the outer and got hooked to rock climbing early in his life. His passion and entrepreneurial spirit were triggered when he saw the harm his climbing gear was doing to the rock faces. So he started building his own tools to try and limit further damage. This effort to protect the environment would eventually fuel the company’s philosophy and created the spark why people are drawn to Patagonia.
Every step Patagonia takes follows the same path that Yvon started as a child. Since the very start, Patagonia has spent decades perfecting their product. They have researched different materials, colours, working environments and environmental ethics to create their products. These are products they are proud of and ones that will promote a safer environment.
Today Patagonia is one of the worlds leading environmentally friendly clothing brands. The company reaches far beyond clothing and is committed to teaching and training the next generation of environmental activists. Patagonia are doing this to continue their mission of finding a solution to the ongoing environmental crisis.
As the latest step to be at the front of the environmental revolution, Yvon Chouinard and his family transferred their ownership of Patagonia (worth about $3 billion) to a uniquely designed trust and nonprofit organization. This was to safeguard the business’ independence and guarantee that all of its $100 million in annual profits would go toward tackling global warming and preserving undeveloped land.
Read more about Patagonia story on their website.