The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder & Other Mountains: How JanSport Makes It Happen

By Skip Yowell

Book Overview

The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder & Other Mountains chronicles the dramatic adventures and accomplishments of the man behind one of the world's most recognized brands. From small-town Kansas boy to adventure-junkie extraordinaire, this book traces Skip Yowell's journey to the top of the outdoor industry. Full of insightful details and photos from around the world, this books offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Skip and his team built a successful company--and changed an entire industry--by breaking the rules and taking good care of their customers. "Skip's account of the founding of JanSport wreaks of honesty, humor, and enough anecdotes to stir a memory in almost anyone who has spent time outside. His tale takes you from a small room above a transmission shop to a global enterprise and packs enough adventures to keep the fire stoked and the beer on ice for hours." -Larry Burke, Editor-in-Chief, Outside Magazine "This amazing book chronicles the life of Skip Yowell, a man who climbed the corporate ladder not in a suit and tie, but in hiking boots and with a backpack. He did so in style, and had tons of fun doing it. He stayed true to himself, maintained friendships, traveled the world and most importantly, preserved his passion for his job.... We can all learn something from Skip, who started building backpacks from scratch and created a company that is now a giant in the industry. His honesty and passion for life are his priority, which all of his friends and business associates can attest to. The world would be a better place with more people like Skip Yowell. I am proud to have him as my friend and encourage you to get to know his story! You will be inspired." -Ed Viesturs, First American to climb all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks, Author of No Shortcuts to the Top "I wish this enlightening book had been available 30 years ago. The inspiration I have derived from it now would have been welcomed then. Like a new band without a 'label' (either style or record company), with originality and dedication it shows how JanSport forged their own way and set the high marks for others to strive for. This 'how it was done' book should be read by all aspiring musicians, for the principles of success are universal and are defined within." -John McEuen, Founding Member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595558527
• ISBN13: 9781595558527
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Inspiration

This is a great, easy read that will inspire you. If it doesn't motivate you to start your own company or climb mountains it will inspire you enough to get off of the couch and find ways to have more fun at your current job.

Great and simple book.

I was visiting my record label and the marketing guy had two books on his desk that he offered me. He had gotten them for free. One was on FUBU and one was this. I took this one. The cover art really is attractive enough alone. Skip tells the interesting story of how Jansport came to be. I had no idea they started the trend to use backpacks at school. Along with this story comes several stories of climbing different mountains. If this sounds disjointed, it kinda is. I think Skip has just looked back on his life and wrote about what he found he did that was most interesting. Found Jansport, climb some mountains, the end. Having said that, I went from having zero interest in the brand to reading the book in two days. I wasn't able to put the thing down. It's very interesting, simple to read and even a little inspiring. I felt like building backpacks and climbing mountains for weeks.

Corporate Success and Fun for Real People

Skip Yowell writes about the evolution of JanSport as it morphs from an idea into an internationally known brand. Throughout, his identification of corporate principles as applied by JanSport easily applies to anyone hoping to create their own business in an authentic, personally meaningful and ethically responsible way. His advice derives from experience. It's a real-world, real-people success story that offers a guide for anyone who is interested in pursuing a long-shot dream.

Fun to read. You forget it is a true story.

Baby boomers who remember the sixties will enjoy this book. So will hikers, campers, students and anyone else who has ever used a JanSport backpack or tent. Skip reveals the serendipity story of how to succeed `without a business plan'.

The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder.............

I was a highschool classmate of Skip's but lost track of him till 13 years ago. I am amazing to see how far a person can go in a lifetime, how close they can stay to a dream and how he developed an idea/company into a houseold name. Skip was and still is a modest guy who built something truely worth boasting about and had many great adventures along the way. And as an "organizational person" I am glad to see his thoughts on customer service, communications and first hand knowledge of his market, its customers and the application of his product.