Book Introduction: Little Black Stretchy Pants: The Story Behind Lululemon’s Revolution
Visionary’s Journey
This is a book about ordinary people who took an opportunity to be creative, to be innovative, and to maximize their potential. My part in this story comes from the learnings gleaned from thousands of mistakes," writes Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon.
The Entrepreneurial Genesis
From Idea to Global Phenomenon
In 1998, Wilson sensed something big was about to happen with yoga. The little company he founded in Kitsilano, Vancouver, would go on to redefine how an entire generation dressed and lived.
Behind the Stretchy Pants
More Than Just Clothing
Wilson’s vision went beyond creating pants. He wanted to:
Educate customers about product value
Create a unique retail experience
Build a culture of personal development
Revolutionize technical apparel
The Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster
Challenges and Triumphs
Wilson describes his journey as “exhilarating and terrifying.” At 42, with a young family, he bet everything on his vision. The financial rewards would be enormous, but the risk was equally significant.
A Candid Reflection
Lessons in Business and Innovation
The book explores two critical aspects of business:
The product and customer - the entrepreneur’s core expertise
Public board governance - the complex world of executive power dynamics
The Larger Vision
Transforming an Industry
“The day before something is a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea,” Wilson writes. “If an idea could be quantified, it would already have been done. No one wants change. Change is hard. But change is the only constant.”
A raw, unfiltered look at how a pair of stretchy pants changed the world of athletic wear forever.
Book Details
Title: Little Black Stretchy Pants
Author: Chip Wilson
Published: 2018
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Pages: 432