What Patagonia and HRG Share in Common (Besides Fleece Vests)
As avid outdoors enthusiasts and small business owners, we’ve enjoyed reading “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. The book is part memoir, part business guide, and part outdoors manifesto. It tells the story of how Chouinard turned his passion for climbing and surfing into a successful and enduring business that reflects his values and vision.
Chouinard writes, "Work had to be enjoyable on a daily basis. We all had to come to work on the balls of our feet and go up the stairs two steps at a time...we all needed to have flextime to surf the waves when they were good, or ski the powder after a big snowstorm, or stay at home and take care of a sick child."
We found inspiration and lessons in the book – particularly in the early days of Patagonia – that apply to our own company culture at Hidden River Group. Here are some of them:
Authenticity and passion are key. Chouinard’s approach to building a business was simply to make better equipment for himself and his friends. He sold products that he would want to buy and created a work environment that he would want to be a part of. He was authentic to his passion and created a brand known for high quality that attracted loyal customers and teammates who shared his vision.
Making a positive impact is fundamental. Chouinard realized early on that his business had a purpose. He wanted to make a positive impact on the world and inspire others to do the same. He made his mission clear and aligned his actions with his values. The ability to drive positive impact was both a core value of Patagonia and a competitive advantage.
Flexibility and innovation go hand in hand. Chouinard encouraged his employees to have a flexible schedule that allowed them to pursue their hobbies and passions, like surfing or skiing. He believed that this would foster creativity, innovation, and growth in the workplace, encouraging a positive work culture.
We think Hidden River Group in many ways reflects the mission-driven culture of Chouinard’s early Patagonia. We created HRG to offer the kind of high-quality consulting services that our clients deserve (and that we, as taxpayers, would gladly endorse!). And we set out to foster a work environment that we would want to be part of over the long-term.
We believe in being authentic and passionate about what we do and why we do it, and we seek to work with people who share our vision and values. We strive each day to make a positive impact on our clients, team, and communities. And we promote flexibility and innovation through remote work, learning opportunities, and collaboration across disciplines.
If you're interested in joining or partnering with us, we'd love to hear from you. Have a great rest of your week!
-Hidden River Group
