FOREWORD BY HAP KLOPP

FOUNDER OF THE NORTH FACE

Throughout my life as an entrepreneur, adventurer, father, friend, leader, and philanthropist, I have repeatedly started my endeavours before I was ready. I have adventured into the unknown, taking The North Face from a dream of getting people further into the forests to what is globally known as the most popular adventure brand, grossing well over $2.5B USD per annum. I’ve adventured into the unknown, I’ve employed many thousands of staff and many went on to run major outdoor companies of their own. And I had the good fortune to share all these adventures with two amazing children, three grandchildren and a loving, supportive wife.

I had a real purpose in my career — to create a ‘triple bottom line business.’ One committed equally to the goals of profits, environment and society. Central to my vision was to preserve and protect the wilderness that surrounds us. I knew that if people went deep into the wilderness, they’d see the world in a really truly amazing way and understand the need for wilderness. As Eliot Porter once wrote, ‘In Wilderness is the preservation of Earth.’ I fervently believe that being a purpose-based business was the essential ingredient that allowed us to take The North Face from an idea for technical outdoor products to becoming a global fashion statement.

Through all my myriad of experiences, I learned there is no textbook for life. There is no one formula for success. You’ll often find yourself in situations where you need to let intuition and gut feelings guide your direction. And, that’s OK. Whether in the unknown mountain ranges of Patagonia, or the board room of New York, we as people grow when we’re out of our comfort zone. And I believe that is where all the truly, valuable and disruptive ideas come from.

I met Mick a few years back. He reached out to me and I couldn’t help but be drawn to his energy in creating something that I had always been passionate about — building something truly great. Because his vision encompassed using technology to disrupt the apparel industry which I knew so well it was especially intriguing. By the time we talked through his outline for offering customers a fantastic design delivery service, something that no big brand had yet been able to master, I was hooked.

I remember our first chat on Skype from his tiny attic office. I was energized by the OTG concept and its all-encompassing purpose, mission and execution. I did ask myself, how could a 21-year-old kid with no apparel background and only $150 figure out this concept? But his enthusiasm, his attention to detail and his lack of fear convinced be that he might just be one of those magical people who really could dent the universe, so I offered to contribute if he needed me. Over the years, I’ve mentored Mick, helped guide some grand, and difficult, decisions, and seen his journey. What a great pleasure it’s been to see that growth in him as a person, and in OTG, which will be a major global brand that we’ll all know and enjoy in the not too distant future.

When organisations get large, they slow. They stop innovating. They get too comfortable and they lose their nimbleness. They become risk averse and atrophy. They are afraid of failure but learn that the biggest failure of all is doing nothing. Start Before You’re Ready is the ultimate ethos for life, and a reminder to kick ourselves in the backside and get going — because one can’t wait until things are perfect; they rarely ever are. With the accelerating pace of society there is no longer time for perfect information. Mick’s ethos, outlined in this book, provides the courage to take risks and gives a road map to help us as we throw ourselves into situations head first and learn on the go.

Despite incredible adversity, Mick has prospered. He’s built a highly scaleable company, a stellar team, and an incredible consumer product. He didn’t graduate with multiple degrees. He was not an expert in his field. Nor did he have the capital that most businesses do. Mick and his team have succeeded against all odds. They’ve started before they were ready, connecting vision and purpose. As you will read, Mick learned and learned well — by doing. The real way to live life.

With Mick’s debut book, you will understand how to start right now, no matter what the odds. He shows how to get your mind and purpose aligned. How to paint the picture on where you want to be and how to get there. As Mick and I both believe: we can all be much more than we are today. Life is about adventuring beyond the unknown, and starting before you’re truly ready.

Hap Klopp
Founder and 20-Year CEO, THE NORTH FACE
Author of Almost — 12 electric years chasing a Silicon Valley dream
Hult University Lecturer on Entrepreneurship and Innovation