I just read “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvonne Chouinard - it’s about the history and management philosophy of Patagonia.

Remarkable story and unconventional management practices. Business TO THE END of protecting and enjoying nature. Never purely to make money.

00:00 Introduction to Boardroom Books

01:27 Yvonne Chouinard's Early Life and Passion for Climbing

05:30 The Birth of Patagonia and Its Unique Business Philosophy

08:04 Expansion into Clothing and Major Business Challenges

19:19 Patagonia's Core Values and Philosophies

21:47 Product Design and Innovation at Patagonia

27:48 Production and Marketing Strategies

31:05 Financial Philosophy and Commitment to Environmentalism

I just read "iWoz" by Steve Wozniak, and it’s very different from most business biographies.

Woz wasn’t an entrepreneur. He vowed that for his entire life he’d never get a promotion - he wanted to always be a lowly engineer. He was happiest in the math, not in the business. And, he voluntarily left Apple and gave away lots of his stock because he wanted to keep engineering.

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Steve Wozniak's Early Life and Passion for Engineering

05:14 The Cream Soda Computer and Meeting Steve Jobs

12:30 The Birth of Apple and the Apple I

19:38 The Apple II and Wozniak's Philosophy

26:33 Wozniak's Later Ventures and Legacy

William Rosenberg was a 8th grade dropout who went on to found the Dunkin' Donuts empire and basically become the Godfather of modern franchising.

He was an insane entrepreneur - excellent at selling to new people, understanding people, and MAKING opportunities happen.

This episode is based on Rosenberg's book "Time to Make the Donuts"

00:00 Introduction to William Rosenberg's Story

00:26 Early Life and Family Background

02:13 First Jobs and Salesmanship

04:26 Career Growth and Ice Cream Business

06:29 Vending Machines and Entrepreneurial Lessons

08:52 World War II and Shipyard Experience

12:40 Launching the Industrial Luncheon Service

14:38 Building a Food Truck Empire

21:08 The Birth of Dunkin Donuts

22:44 Alvin's Impact and the Birth of Open Kettle

24:37 The Success of Open Kettle and the Birth of Dunkin Donuts

26:34 Expansion Challenges and Financing Innovations

31:24 Franchising and Quality Control

33:58 The Rise of Dunkin Donuts and the International Franchise Association

39:55 Going Public and Bill's Legacy