Quick, think of the difference between a business and a philanthropy. Now that you’ve got your paradigm set, let Chris Van Dyke smash it. He runs an innovative clothing company called Nau. The organization seeks to make a profit, yet gives a large amount of each sale to philanthropies and much of its intellectual capital is open source. To learn more about it, visit nau.com.
Photo: Keven Focht, 2007
6 comments:
To the chagrin of the investors who ponied up $35 million to get NAU going, the company is now defunct...down the toilet...toast. What are people thinking when they invest in a "START-UP" that has their digs in the most expensive real estate in Portland (the Pearl District)?!? Hello!
REI has been test-driving the production of "NAU-like" products for years. If I had the bucks, I'd put them into a known entity, not something that's going to toss my money into the High Rent district.
The people who started up NAU did so with integrity and the ideals of making things better. Instead of knocking them for their valiant efforts, you should be applauded them for trying to do something good for us and the world in which YOU live.
Doesn't it say something that even after the company declared its end, they were quickly picked up by Horny Toad Activewear because they were so highly regarded?
I just heard Chris spoke at the Rotary Club of Portland about an hour ago. I believe in his vision, passion and innovation. I dont think we have heard the last of Chris yet. What a tremendous asset to the world, and I can hardly wait to see his rebounce. I'd follow his lead in a heartbeat if he lets me.
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Kilong Ung
Golden Leaf
http://kilongung.blogspot.com
Leverage the past to make the world a better place, one person at a time.
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