Primacy of Purpose
Fifty percent of every sale of Double Good gourmet popcorn is donated to support children with special needs. Alongside that clear focus on making a difference is 20 years of consistent revenue growth.
In his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Double Good CEO Tim Heitmann describes the powerful sense of purpose that has evolved over the company’s history—and the significant period of challenge that he feared would derail the business.
The Competitive Advantage of Evergreens
How does ownership of a company affect its ability to compete—for better or for worse? With a professional background that spans 20 years and includes consulting roles with Fortune 500 companies, the philanthropic sector, and family businesses, BanyanGlobal Partner and Co-Founder Josh Baron is uniquely qualified to answer that question.
In his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Josh describes the sustainable, competitive advantage of Evergreen businesses in this century, the survival strategies that will allow Evergreens to make the most of that advantage, and why he feels these businesses can make a dent in the universe.
The Big Future of Small Town History
What do you envision when you picture idyllic small-town life? Beautiful historic buildings? A walkable downtown core filled with thriving businesses? Connected neighbors and a vibrant sense of civic pride?
All of these points are goals for Amy Simmons, founder of Amy’s Ice Creams, and her husband, who have been revitalizing the town of Smithville, Texas. As they work with other community members and encourage outside investment, their hope is to offer opportunity, encourage entrepreneurship and make lasting, positive, sustainable change. In her Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Amy shares the Smithville story and her observations about the joy—and challenge—of revitalizing a small town.
The Evergreen Advantage
There are freedoms and advantages that come with being an Evergreen company. In this Tugboat Institute Summit video, our members share what being Evergreen allows them to do that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. Some lessons are practical; others are personal. All of them are true.
Featuring: Don MacAskill, Will Snook, Dan Kenary, and Wynne Odell
Early Stories
We love hearing about the memorable early stories that defined our Evergreen companies. They often evoke the passion and perseverance that’s especially important to bootstrapping a company. Whether it’s a memorable employee, a disastrous situation, or a nickname that evolved into a badge of honor, our members recall the details in their own words.
Featuring: Jay Wilkinson, Stephane Fitch, Courtney Kingston, Jairemy Drooger, Amy Simmons, Daniel Goldstein, and Steven Jacob
Profit With a Purpose: The REI Story
Dennis Madsen’s journey at outdoor retailer REI started in the stock room at REI’s first store when Madsen was 17. Under his leadership as CEO, and later as a board member, REI grew to the national brand it is today, respected for its products, inviting stores and quality customer service.
In this Tugboat Institute Summit talk, Madsen acquaints us with REI’s remarkable history, its unique co-op model, his growth with the company and how REI focuses on its employees, customers and local communities.
My First Buck
We all remember how we made our first buck — and for many Evergreen leaders it was something quite entrepreneurial, or an entry-level job that unveiled their passion for serving customers. In this Tugboat Institute Summit video, our members look back on their first-buck moments.
Featuring: Will Snook, Don MacAskill, Dan Kenary and Wynne Odell.
The Inadvertent Multigenerational Family Business: Secrets of Longevity
Multigenerational family businesses are a testament to the Evergreen 7Ps, particularly their importance through decades, if not a century, of technological advances, economic cycles, interpersonal family dynamics and competition both domestically and abroad.
Tugboat Institute Summit guest speaker Spencer Burke is an expert in guiding families and their businesses through these inevitable challenges in his work at The St. Louis Trust Company and Washington University in St. Louis. His deep understanding of their history and practices has allowed him to synthesize and share specific strategies that enable multigenerational businesses to thrive for the long haul. As Burke states in his talk, “It’s not a straight line. … Sometimes you need to reinvent yourself and keep moving forward.”
Update from Rebecca Rusch
As a seven-time ultra-endurance mountain bike world champion, Rebecca Rusch exemplifies Perseverance. In 2017, Rebecca set out on a deeply personal odyssey in search of her father’s Vietnam War crash site and final resting place along the 1,200-mile Ho Chi Minh Trail — a journey documented in the film "Blood Road." At our most recent Tugboat Institute Summit, Rebecca gave us a preview of her enormous project and the inspiration that led to the most important ride of her life.
First Starting Out
Some leaders know from day one that they want to build an Evergreen company — lasting, purpose-driven and private. For others, it takes a mentor, a life-changing event or a new idea to realize the kind of legacy they want to leave. At last year’s Tugboat Institute Summit, our members shared the watershed moment that brought them on the Evergreen path.
Featuring: Amy Simmons, Stephane Fitch, Steven Jacob, Jay Wilkinson, Courtney Kingston and Jairemy Drooger.
