Slate Daily Feed Slate Money | Money Talks: The Paradoxes of Patagonia
Sep 2, 2025
David Gelles, a climate reporter for the New York Times and author of 'Dirtbag Billionaire,' dives into the life of Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder. He discusses the unique paradox of a billionaire committed to environmental sustainability. The conversation touches on Chouinard's contrasting leadership style compared to corporate giants like Jack Welch. Gelles also explores Patagonia's philosophy of merging profit with purpose and the challenges of maintaining this balance in a profit-driven world. The future of the company post-Chouinard is also highlighted.
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Mission-Driven Business Model
- Yvon Chouinard consistently made unconventional choices that prioritized mission over traditional profit maximization.
- Those choices created lessons showing business can be a force for environmental good without abandoning profitability.
Dam Fight Sparked Philanthropy
- In the 1970s Chouinard funded local activists to stop a Ventura River dam that threatened surf breaks he loved.
- That moment launched Patagonia's long practice of using profits to back environmental activism.
NIMBYism Versus Climate Reality
- Chouinard's extreme NIMBYism and desire to keep land untouched reflects a Malthusian view of limiting human presence.
- David Gelles questions whether that stance is effective for today's global-scale climate challenges.
