Rad Reads: Let My People Go Surfing

Today's Rad Reads is for those who are interested in business, the environment, the fashion industry and it's social impacts or just interested in taking a look into a major company that is working to do all sorts of good. 

Let My People Go Surfing is written by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. The book is all about the creation, evolution, and ethical practices of Patagonia. 

Let me tell you, this book is going to make you want to submit a resume to Patagonia asap. The company focuses on producing quality while doing it in a way that leaves the least amount of impact on the environment. Chouinard is sure to assure us that he, and everyone at Patagonia, know that their products will never be impact-less to the planet, but that won't stop them from continuing to try to get as close as they can. 

Some of the coolest perks I learned about Patagonia: 

*Patagonia offers an internship program to their staff that allows staff to go and work for an environmental group for up to 2 months while still receiving their usual paychecks. Even cooler? During the 90's 4 employees were arrested while participating in a protest during their internship time and Patagonia posted their bail on the premise that the employees were arrested for civil nonviolent disobedience while supporting the environment. 

*So long as their usual work duties are completed, Patagonia employees are free to use their paid work time to participate in existing Patagonia environmental initiatives or work together to create new ones. 

*The book is titled Let My People Go Surfing after one of Patagonia's flextime policies that shares the same name. The premise of this policy is that so long as your work gets done it is okay to pop out early for a surf when the waves are good, head out early to go see their kids sporting events, or head out rock climbing. Patagonia is, and always has been, a company that values adventure and outdoor sport and they hire people who value the same things. By granting their employees this flexibility it helps keep those adventure minded, freedom loving people working. 

Those are just a few of the many things in the book that really caught my attention. Patagonia doesn't just do good for the environment on their own, they also are a founding member of 1% for the planet. Patagonia decided to donate 1% of their gross sales or 10% of their profits (which ever was more) to grassroots organizations working on environmental causes. 1% for the planet turned into a large group of companies who all pledge to do the same. 

I could go on and on about how interesting I found Patagonia's philosophies and story, but I suggest you grab the book and give it a read for yourself! I don't think you'll regret it!

More Rad Rads, here.