Goal Quote by Yvon Chouinard
“At Patagonia, making a profit is not the goal because the Zen master would say profits happen 'when you do everything else right'.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Patagonia Founder on Business Philosophy, 2015
Profit is secondary; true success comes from doing everything right, aligning purpose, ethics, and quality, which then naturally yields financial gain.
In simple terms: Doing things right leads to profit.
Key Takeaway
Focus on values and quality before profit.
Themes
business ethics
purpose
sustainability
leadership
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- product design
- employee empowerment
- environmental stewardship
- customer trust
Key Concepts
Stakeholder theory
ethical capitalism
long‑term thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑financial goals drive your work?
- How do you measure “doing everything right”?
A Different Perspective
Profit may still be elusive without market demand.
