It’s About Time

Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, did not set out to change the world – only to live in it. An avid outdoors enthusiast, Chouinard started a home-based business back in the 60s merely to sustain his passion for climbing.

In a previous article I wrote about how Chouinard was able to grow his business from hocking climbing equipment out of the trunk of his car to a multi-million dollar a year company while never forsaking his love for the natural world around him.

Now Timex, in a joint endeavor with the Conservation Alliance, is producing a series of short online films featuring iconic outdoorsmen in their favorite wild places. The latest film features Yvon Chouinard fly fishing and discussing his love of nature at a secret lake in Argentina. Other films have featured the likes of mountaineer Conrad Anker discussing some of his earliest memories from Wyoming’s Teton Crest and Steph Davis base-jumping in southern Utah’s canyonlands.

Their goal is to inspire viewers to spend more time outdoors and raise awareness of the Conservation Alliance’s mission to protect outdoor spaces. Inspired viewers are encouraged to share their own experiences. The best viewer entries will be voted on, and the most passionate outdoorsmen will be rewarded with an all-expenses-paid outdoor adventure vacation for two. Finalists will be rewarded with watches from Timex Expedition, and gear from The North Face, Camelback and Ahnu Footwear. Prizes will be given away every two weeks through the end of August.

By participating in this project, hopefully you will be inspired to start your own successful business and devote a portion of your profits to forming an organization passionate about saving the world, too.

By briansrapier