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  • The Story of Lululemon: Little Black Stretchy Pants

  • Written by: Chip Wilson
  • Narrated by: Chip Wilson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (372 ratings)

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The Story of Lululemon: Little Black Stretchy Pants

Written by: Chip Wilson
Narrated by: Chip Wilson
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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

What listeners say about The Story of Lululemon: Little Black Stretchy Pants

Average Customer Ratings
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Simply, a great book and guide for entrepreneurs

Chip, thank you for writing this inspirational book. I find it strange that I can remember buying shorts from you at West Beach in Calgary but it speaks to your passion for customer service. Your mention of Ken Achenbach, one of my sponsors when I was a 15 year old competitive BMX rider, brought up fond memories but also highlights how being first is not all that is required for success in a burgeoning industry. You made your success happen because of passion and innovation and I hope your book somehow motivates Wall Street to align with you and bring back the spark that made lululemon great.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The first half well worth the cost of the book

After listening to a large chunk of the book, I was blown away that this wasn't mentioned in "best of" lists. Chip goes into perfect detail on the setting up of his first business and the key elements and steps of his second, Lululemon. Highly recommended for people to learn more about vertical retailing, merchandising, branding and taking on investors. However, after the first half, the book takes a dark turn as Chip loses control of his company and fights to take it back. The book lags in the end as Chip spends his time regretting past decisions. I still loved the book and recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful

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Open, Honest, Inspired.

A great listen for those interested in leadership, people development, culture, change and lululemon. This book reminds us that people can do great things when they have shared vision and passion.

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1 person found this helpful

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Awesome listen!

Loved the story. Really cool to hear the full story and the true point of view

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A book for entrepreneurs, designers and leaders

Candid, honest, and incredibly generous to share the advice that a life of great work has taught

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Very honest story

This is a really good view of a founder, telling his experience just at it was, recommended.

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Oblivious truth

I very closely relate with this book being in the same industry and striving towards the same goals. Chip’s story is eerily similar to my story and over the period of a few days of listening to it I have made many changes in my personal ideals and vision. Which in turn will lead to changes in business. Thank you for your contribution to the world Chip. Hopefully our paths cross in our journeys!

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Fascinating insight

Chip and others quoted do a great job giving the background to his building of a multi national company. His candid takes and commitment to not glossing over his own errors is refreshing and fascinating.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Truthful and Authentic

Loved hearing this read by Chip. You can hear the authentic tone of each section through his voice. Loved hearing his side of each story and his devotion to the vision of the company he created.

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Great book!

This book changed my perspective about Lululemon, but also I received great advice that I would like to apply to my business.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2019-07-13

Score settling second rate business advice

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

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Braden
  • 2018-10-22

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!

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Rancher
  • 2018-11-17

Just a little ego?

Wow, this guy is really something else. Story is written with a very bitter tone. Basically praising the people and culture, but under his breath taking credit for EVERYTHING that worked, and laying blame for every misstep. I enjoyed hearing the story, but the ego of the founder could never fit his pants.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • Gloria in Columbus
  • 2019-06-08

Little Black Stretchy Pants

Unfortunately not at all what I was expecting. I somehow was expecting a comedy but this didn't seem to be the author's intention.

So goodbye it went.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Steven Calif
  • 2020-03-11

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.

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  • The Niedenzus
  • 2019-10-15

This is not comedy

I should have known from the subtitle: little black stretchy pants.
Simply NOT that interesting.
Lesson learned.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Noel Castellanos
  • 2019-09-26

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.

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  • Harold Wong
  • 2019-03-01

I bought it just to stare at the cover

From his stomping grounds selling snow sport equipment to his meteoric rise to yoga pants.

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  • Nicolas
  • 2023-11-29

“To the best within us” -Ayn Rand

Amazing story as to how Chip Wilson pioneered the industry of athletic apparel, also a high integrity leader and renowned entrepreneur!

Do yourself a favor and read it!

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  • Leo
  • 2023-11-11

One of the best books!

Pretty interesting book about the founder journey, working with PE and being the founder of a public company. Well written and narrated.

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