todd m. sweet

Patagonia's Founder is America's Most Unlikely Business Guru - WSJ.com

The idealism, ambition, self-assurance and total hubris at the heart of this salmon escapade are all hallmarks of the Chouinard executive style. His approach to leading a company is perhaps best understood as a sort of performance art—less about the bottom line than about providing a road map for future entrepreneurs. “I never even wanted to be in business,” he says. “But I hang onto Patagonia because it’s my resource to do something good. It’s a way to demonstrate that corporations can lead examined lives.”

Yvon Chouinard is a true original.

Business booms in a flash

I love the idea of a “cash mob” to support local businesses. Organized via Facebook, these folks target a business that needs a little boost by committing to spend $20 at the time of the mob. 

The Food Truck Economy - The Atlantic

“The food truck movement, yes, of course is about the food,” says Rasula, who also runs Unique LA, an annual art and design show featuring local independent designers. “But taking a second look, it’s about the fact that small business owners have thought outside the box and realized that there’s an opportunity.” 

Unlike dish- or ingredient-focused food trends, the street food phenomenon is more about form than content, making it comparable to general business movements such as the surge in new media or online shopping, Rasula says. “The truck model is fantastic,” she notes. “The mobility of it all, going to where people are and not waiting for you to come to them.” It’s a framework she believes other non-food businesses would be wise to explore. 

Sustainability Faceoff: Walmart vs. Target | Fast Company

Who has a more sustainable business culture?  The answer might surprise you.