The Story of Lululemon: Little Black Stretchy Pants

By: Chip Wilson

Narrated by: Chip Wilson

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

The unauthorized story of Lululemon.

This is a book about ordinary people who took an opportunity to be creative, to be innovative, and to maximize their potential.

Chip Wilson’s part in this story comes from the learning of thousands of mistakes. He set the culture, business model, quality platform, and people development program and then got out of the way. Lululemon’s exponential growth, culture, and brand strength have few peers, and it is because of those employees who choose to be great. 

This book is also about missed opportunity - five years of missed opportunity. Chip was playing to win while the directors of the company he founded were playing not to lose.

©2018 Time Is Tight Communications Ltd (P)2018 Time Is Tight Communications Ltd

A unique perspective.

Very cool story that reminded me of Shoe Dog with more cultural lessons. Very cool that it was also narrated by Chip and his family!

Entertaining but revisionist in places

I’ve listened to this twice, so I found the history, the journey and some of the lessons very interesting. In particular, the idea that it is truly possible to keep a unique vision and core values driving a large scale entity is unusual, as those things typically get lost or are not truly supported top to bottom.

On the 2nd listen I did not really like that the book had been revised with updates of Chip’s career .. it seemed like a “chip on the shoulder” move. I’d say it is certainly worth a listen if you are interested in the early history of the company, but as the book goes on, take it with a grain of salt. As Chip asks at one point “Am I the weird uncle in the room?” I think so. But that’s kind of what makes it more interesting. Can a weird uncle really run a multi billion$ entity. The lessons of why could not make it possible are good ones.

Chip is an Excellent Product Man

So interesting-Chip made a great product using unorthodox marketing. This combination made a world wide positively recognized company. He blazed the way for people and product to grow in ways that were beneficial to both. Loved it!!! Financial and/or creative minds will enjoy this book.

Score settling second rate business advice

I wanted Chipp's insights into Athleisure, I got Chipp's self serving opinions on corporate governance.

Chip’s Story, Not Lulemons

I’ve read a lot of business books and this one might have been my least favorite. There’s way too much complaining about other people for me. Chip is right and everyone else is wrong.

Stretch your legs and learn about being in it for the long run

A founder makes it happen. A founder creates flow. A founder fuels the passion that is the force that employees and customers (both comprised largely of super girls in this case) both embrace. But to reach more people, more of the public, takes more money and, inevitably, going public. And that’s where the culture, the foundation of the company that got it to this point of unparalleled, market creating success, clashes not with the public, but with the fear of failure instilled by insulated and self-interested Titans of industry who sit on the board and know how to run a company, if not into the ground, into a loop of low-risk quarter mile laps that will make it too big to flourish while inflating the price of the shares and their own net worths. It’s probably not unique when the people at the helm think more of what they can take out of, rather than, put into a business. This book made me crazy. It’s a cautionary tale. And it is so great because the founder threw caution to the wind.

Build your future now

when you have a life that seems to be viewed through different eyes then others around you, you seem to feel out of place from the norms of society. this book was so close to home with how Chip thinks and how different ideas stand out. what an amazing story but also a real tragic one as how much corruption is around us...people....money is the thing that everyone puts before so much. put others first and the good of the planet and you will make something great. I know I will try to.

Reinforces the value of culture (and watch out for corporate politics)

While Shoe Dog was about the scrappiness of 0 to 1, this story focuses more on the importance of culture and the risks of corporate politics / short term incentives / losing your True North.

It also reinforces my belief that HR/talent acquisition is still a very inefficient market - Lululemon was built by people with very little traditional “pedigrees” that were empowered in a great culture. I believe whoever figures out how to systematically find these diamonds in the rough will have a huge positive impact in society and business.

Thoroughly educational and entertaining

What a story! Invaluable historical perspective on modern yoga, business building, and philosophy. A quick and valuable experience to be cherished.

Amazing and Inspiring

loved Chips story. as an entrepreneur I felt inspired and motivated. all entrepreneurs need to read and listen to this book. mindset shift. tells the truth about how damaged out American corporate world can and is. kudos Chip.

Learned so much reading this

Loved this book. At par with the likes of Shoe Dog in my opinion, a top class autobiography. He is authentic, honest, doesn't hold back. Many golden nuggets and valuable advice for entrepreneurs. Also loved that he shares his list of favourite business books, allowing me to know what to listen to next.

Starts slowly. Stick with it.

I bought this because someone else compared it with Shoe Dog which is a brilliant book. As I started listening I was disappointed. It wasn't helped by the narration (Chip himself rather than a professional) and the clips of people narrating their own bits.

However, the book comes into its own in the second half. I am really pleased I stuck with it.

There is a lot to learn from this book and I have altered my thinking as a result.

I recomend you listen to it.

Packed with learning for any business leader who dreams of changing the world

This is an amazing book we’ll told and we’ll read. I have learnt so much from it.

Amazing story

Valuable lessons from building a billion dollar business. Thanks, Chip, diving into the details and share the story!

loved it!

very insightful, educational and inspiring!

I liked the personal touch about his life and how he found a work life balance

Culture is everything

Thoroughly enjoy and rate this book. It’s definitely in my top ten business reads. Fantastic to learn about the journey from single product to going public as well as the challenges that come along with that. Chip’s unwavering dedication to his mission and people is admirable. I really recommend this book to anyone who not only wants to start a business, but change the world.