the first thing you need to know is that I have no idea what I’m talking about
I have no idea what I’m talking about
I have no idea what I’m talking about I managed to land a couple of shots in
I managed to land a couple of shots in
I managed to land a couple of shots in the dark and attract some insanely
the dark and attract some insanely
the dark and attract some insanely talented people that I’m very fortunate
talented people that I’m very fortunate
talented people that I’m very fortunate to work with so please take everything I
to work with so please take everything I
to work with so please take everything I say with the biggest grain of salt and
say with the biggest grain of salt and
say with the biggest grain of salt and please draw your own conclusions all
please draw your own conclusions all
please draw your own conclusions all objects that move through a fluid are
objects that move through a fluid are
objects that move through a fluid are designed in three dimensions with
designed in three dimensions with
designed in three dimensions with historical deviation from that being
historical deviation from that being
historical deviation from that being skis and snowboards now h2o solid is
skis and snowboards now h2o solid is
skis and snowboards now h2o solid is very similar to h2o liquid and by
very similar to h2o liquid and by
very similar to h2o liquid and by treating snow like a fluid we can design
treating snow like a fluid we can design
treating snow like a fluid we can design and build snowboards and skis that are
and build snowboards and skis that are
and build snowboards and skis that are fundamentally more advanced and more
fundamentally more advanced and more
fundamentally more advanced and more importantly way more fun to ride and so
importantly way more fun to ride and so
importantly way more fun to ride and so at Gilson that’s what we do and now
at Gilson that’s what we do and now
at Gilson that’s what we do and now today we have multiple patents and we
today we have multiple patents and we
today we have multiple patents and we build for skiers and riders globally
build for skiers and riders globally
build for skiers and riders globally this last year we became the
this last year we became the
this last year we became the fastest-growing snowboard company in the
fastest-growing snowboard company in the
fastest-growing snowboard company in the world so over the last several years I
world so over the last several years I
world so over the last several years I mean totally surreal right we find
mean totally surreal right we find
mean totally surreal right we find myself in this spot looking back over
myself in this spot looking back over
myself in this spot looking back over the last several years and sort of
the last several years and sort of
the last several years and sort of reflecting on this time I’ve come to
reflecting on this time I’ve come to
reflecting on this time I’ve come to realize that there are two things that
realize that there are two things that
realize that there are two things that have been consistently very true and the
have been consistently very true and the
have been consistently very true and the first is that success and innovation
first is that success and innovation
first is that success and innovation comes from really only two places from
comes from really only two places from
comes from really only two places from either the lessons learned during
either the lessons learned during
either the lessons learned during repeated failure or from total accidents
repeated failure or from total accidents
repeated failure or from total accidents and we’ve definitely had a view of boat
and we’ve definitely had a view of boat
and we’ve definitely had a view of boat the second thing is that our education
the second thing is that our education
the second thing is that our education system is training us to fear failure
system is training us to fear failure
system is training us to fear failure and to avoid it at all costs but failure
and to avoid it at all costs but failure
and to avoid it at all costs but failure is the moment when we have the
is the moment when we have the
is the moment when we have the opportunity to learn the most when
opportunity to learn the most when
opportunity to learn the most when something goes right all you can do is
something goes right all you can do is
something goes right all you can do is they don’t touch that dial and we do
they don’t touch that dial and we do
they don’t touch that dial and we do that occasionally but when something
that occasionally but when something
that occasionally but when something goes wrong you can figure out why and so
goes wrong you can figure out why and so
goes wrong you can figure out why and so as painful as that moment is we need to
as painful as that moment is we need to
as painful as that moment is we need to squeeze that failure for every last drop
squeeze that failure for every last drop
squeeze that failure for every last drop of insight and so in 2011 I graduated
of insight and so in 2011 I graduated
of insight and so in 2011 I graduated Johns Hopkins University and move down
Johns Hopkins University and move down
Johns Hopkins University and move down to Nashville Tennessee I grew up in
to Nashville Tennessee I grew up in
to Nashville Tennessee I grew up in Rhode Island right this is a big move
Rhode Island right this is a big move
Rhode Island right this is a big move and I found myself in front of
and I found myself in front of
and I found myself in front of class of what I came to know is just the
class of what I came to know is just the
class of what I came to know is just the most amazing amazing kids but the
most amazing amazing kids but the
most amazing amazing kids but the ability levels were just this huge range
ability levels were just this huge range
ability levels were just this huge range right so one seat over here we have a
right so one seat over here we have a
right so one seat over here we have a student who mind you I’m in fifth and
student who mind you I’m in fifth and
student who mind you I’m in fifth and sixth grade my other science teacher is
sixth grade my other science teacher is
sixth grade my other science teacher is Austin Roy he’s teaching seventh and
Austin Roy he’s teaching seventh and
Austin Roy he’s teaching seventh and eighth he’s now my business partner life
eighth he’s now my business partner life
eighth he’s now my business partner life is what happens to you while you’re busy
is what happens to you while you’re busy
is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans so that’s a story for
making other plans so that’s a story for
making other plans so that’s a story for another time so in one student we’ve got
another time so in one student we’ve got
another time so in one student we’ve got a student or one seat we’ve got a
a student or one seat we’ve got a
a student or one seat we’ve got a student who is reading on a third grade
student who is reading on a third grade
student who is reading on a third grade level instead of six next seat over got
level instead of six next seat over got
level instead of six next seat over got a student who’s right on target in the
a student who’s right on target in the
a student who’s right on target in the sixth grade next seat over student
sixth grade next seat over student
sixth grade next seat over student reading on a twelfth grade level somehow
reading on a twelfth grade level somehow
reading on a twelfth grade level somehow next you’d over a kid thinking about
next you’d over a kid thinking about
next you’d over a kid thinking about concepts on a college level next seat
concepts on a college level next seat
concepts on a college level next seat over someone learning English for the
over someone learning English for the
over someone learning English for the first time next seat over Abdul Basit
first time next seat over Abdul Basit
first time next seat over Abdul Basit asking me theoretical physics questions
asking me theoretical physics questions
asking me theoretical physics questions about objects entering black holes from
about objects entering black holes from
about objects entering black holes from different reference frames to be fair
different reference frames to be fair
different reference frames to be fair that kid might be a genius someone to
that kid might be a genius someone to
that kid might be a genius someone to keep an eye on but so so we’re standing
keep an eye on but so so we’re standing
keep an eye on but so so we’re standing here right I’m at the helm of a
here right I’m at the helm of a
here right I’m at the helm of a completely failing ship and we are just
completely failing ship and we are just
completely failing ship and we are just driving into the ground I mean work it’s
driving into the ground I mean work it’s
driving into the ground I mean work it’s been driving into the ground
been driving into the ground
been driving into the ground but here I am now in control and somehow
but here I am now in control and somehow
but here I am now in control and somehow responsible for turning this thing
responsible for turning this thing
responsible for turning this thing around and one of the first things that
around and one of the first things that
around and one of the first things that Austin I noticed is that despite all of
Austin I noticed is that despite all of
Austin I noticed is that despite all of these differences in ability level there
these differences in ability level there
these differences in ability level there is a common thread that tied every
is a common thread that tied every
is a common thread that tied every single student together and that was
single student together and that was
single student together and that was this crippling fear of failure
this crippling fear of failure
this crippling fear of failure particularly tied to this thing called
particularly tied to this thing called
particularly tied to this thing called the t cap test I’m sure everybody in
the t cap test I’m sure everybody in
the t cap test I’m sure everybody in here has taken numerous standardized
here has taken numerous standardized
here has taken numerous standardized tests and been judged on how well you
tests and been judged on how well you
tests and been judged on how well you can answer questions when for potential
can answer questions when for potential
can answer questions when for potential answer choices are already given to you
answer choices are already given to you
answer choices are already given to you but this thing was just awful and the
but this thing was just awful and the
but this thing was just awful and the administrators and the other people in
administrators and the other people in
administrators and the other people in the school system knew that this test
the school system knew that this test
the school system knew that this test would determine not only these kids
would determine not only these kids
would determine not only these kids futures but the future of the school the
futures but the future of the school the
futures but the future of the school the future of the teachers the future of
future of the teachers the future of
future of the teachers the future of everyone and there is so much pressure
everyone and there is so much pressure
everyone and there is so much pressure put on this test the stupid test that it
put on this test the stupid test that it
put on this test the stupid test that it just was debilitating I mean you know
just was debilitating I mean you know
just was debilitating I mean you know what it’s like to fear failure you
what it’s like to fear failure you
what it’s like to fear failure you freeze you can’t do what you need to do
freeze you can’t do what you need to do
freeze you can’t do what you need to do and this test of multiple choice
and this test of multiple choice
and this test of multiple choice questions that happens only once a year
questions that happens only once a year
questions that happens only once a year is somehow something that we’re supposed
is somehow something that we’re supposed
is somehow something that we’re supposed to be teaching to for nine months or
to be teaching to for nine months or
to be teaching to for nine months or however long the school years so I mean
however long the school years so I mean
however long the school years so I mean I should probably know is a 40
I should probably know is a 40
I should probably know is a 40 and so and so these kids would have
and so and so these kids would have
and so and so these kids would have wouldn’t be able to perform right and we
wouldn’t be able to perform right and we
wouldn’t be able to perform right and we saw teachers unable to perform – putting
saw teachers unable to perform – putting
saw teachers unable to perform – putting all of this emphasis on this one single
all of this emphasis on this one single
all of this emphasis on this one single test at the end of the year that really
test at the end of the year that really
test at the end of the year that really assessed skills that I am going to argue
assessed skills that I am going to argue
assessed skills that I am going to argue don’t matter and so the first thing that
don’t matter and so the first thing that
don’t matter and so the first thing that we needed to do is break down this fear
we needed to do is break down this fear
we needed to do is break down this fear of failure and we did that through two
of failure and we did that through two
of failure and we did that through two things we did that through unity this
things we did that through unity this
things we did that through unity this idea that all of the kids in the class
idea that all of the kids in the class
idea that all of the kids in the class we’re all in the same team here we’re
we’re all in the same team here we’re
we’re all in the same team here we’re not fighting against each other for who
not fighting against each other for who
not fighting against each other for who can do best if one of us fails we all
can do best if one of us fails we all
can do best if one of us fails we all fail this is a team effort and secondly
fail this is a team effort and secondly
fail this is a team effort and secondly and so that got kids behind teaching
and so that got kids behind teaching
and so that got kids behind teaching kids to having kids ahead teaching kids
kids to having kids ahead teaching kids
kids to having kids ahead teaching kids behind everybody reinforcing concepts
behind everybody reinforcing concepts
behind everybody reinforcing concepts but more importantly the second thing
but more importantly the second thing
but more importantly the second thing that we did is that we made a
that we did is that we made a
that we did is that we made a proclamation that this test is stupid
proclamation that this test is stupid
proclamation that this test is stupid and we’re not going to teach to this
and we’re not going to teach to this
and we’re not going to teach to this test we’re going to teach so far beyond
test we’re going to teach so far beyond
test we’re going to teach so far beyond the test we’re going to teach the skills
the test we’re going to teach the skills
the test we’re going to teach the skills and mindsets needed to figure out the
and mindsets needed to figure out the
and mindsets needed to figure out the answer instead of just regurgitate it
answer instead of just regurgitate it
answer instead of just regurgitate it from memory and in so doing this test
from memory and in so doing this test
from memory and in so doing this test would then appear to be easy even if you
would then appear to be easy even if you
would then appear to be easy even if you had never seen the material before and
had never seen the material before and
had never seen the material before and then this and the way that we did this
then this and the way that we did this
then this and the way that we did this is we brought in projects firstly day to
is we brought in projects firstly day to
is we brought in projects firstly day to day and why say we I mean Austin and I
day and why say we I mean Austin and I
day and why say we I mean Austin and I the other science teacher in his classes
the other science teacher in his classes
the other science teacher in his classes in mind respectively different rooms the
in mind respectively different rooms the
in mind respectively different rooms the so we brought in these projects that
so we brought in these projects that
so we brought in these projects that were day to day projects and then week
were day to day projects and then week
were day to day projects and then week to week and then month to month and
to week and then month to month and
to week and then month to month and ultimately we realized that on top of
ultimately we realized that on top of
ultimately we realized that on top of these projects we could have each kid be
these projects we could have each kid be
these projects we could have each kid be working on their own curiosity project
working on their own curiosity project
working on their own curiosity project for a year something that they could be
for a year something that they could be
for a year something that they could be anything just something that they were
anything just something that they were
anything just something that they were hugely interested in right and so when I
hugely interested in right and so when I
hugely interested in right and so when I was their age I have been thinking about
was their age I have been thinking about
was their age I have been thinking about this concept of why our
this concept of why our
this concept of why our three-dimensional snowball or wire skis
three-dimensional snowball or wire skis
three-dimensional snowball or wire skis and snowboards flat when every other
and snowboards flat when every other
and snowboards flat when every other object that moves through a fluid is
object that moves through a fluid is
object that moves through a fluid is curved boats cars planes they’re all
curved boats cars planes they’re all
curved boats cars planes they’re all curved to enhance some performance
curved to enhance some performance
curved to enhance some performance benefit skis and snowboards have
benefit skis and snowboards have
benefit skis and snowboards have remained flat so when I was my students
remained flat so when I was my students
remained flat so when I was my students age I built this when I was 14 between
age I built this when I was 14 between
age I built this when I was 14 between two doors is the part you know I’m
two doors is the part you know I’m
two doors is the part you know I’m biased I can tell you it worked I’m the
biased I can tell you it worked I’m the
biased I can tell you it worked I’m the only one who wrote it we can leave it at
only one who wrote it we can leave it at
only one who wrote it we can leave it at that but honestly it didn’t – is a bit
that but honestly it didn’t – is a bit
that but honestly it didn’t – is a bit of a failure but I brought this in to my
of a failure but I brought this in to my
of a failure but I brought this in to my students as a young teach and I said
students as a young teach and I said
students as a young teach and I said this is what I was thinking about when I
this is what I was thinking about when I
this is what I was thinking about when I was
was
was your age this is what I would think
your age this is what I would think
your age this is what I would think about during the school day so that I
about during the school day so that I
about during the school day so that I could go home and build it after school
could go home and build it after school
could go home and build it after school this is what really got me going and
this is what really got me going and
this is what really got me going and each student then started their own
each student then started their own
each student then started their own project with something that they were
project with something that they were
project with something that they were personally interested in and in an act
personally interested in and in an act
personally interested in and in an act of solidarity Austin and I revisited
of solidarity Austin and I revisited
of solidarity Austin and I revisited this snowboard concept we got a little
this snowboard concept we got a little
this snowboard concept we got a little carried away to say the least we had
carried away to say the least we had
carried away to say the least we had applied a house in Nashville Tennessee
applied a house in Nashville Tennessee
applied a house in Nashville Tennessee I’d rented one floor of the house with
I’d rented one floor of the house with
I’d rented one floor of the house with my roommates not the crawlspace in the
my roommates not the crawlspace in the
my roommates not the crawlspace in the basement but we drilled out that
basement but we drilled out that
basement but we drilled out that crawlspace and we started to build a
crawlspace and we started to build a
crawlspace and we started to build a rudimentary snowboard shop we were
rudimentary snowboard shop we were
rudimentary snowboard shop we were teaching and working on lesson plans etc
teaching and working on lesson plans etc
teaching and working on lesson plans etc north of a hundred hours a week and in
north of a hundred hours a week and in
north of a hundred hours a week and in the time the free time beyond that we
the time the free time beyond that we
the time the free time beyond that we were revisiting the snowboard concept
were revisiting the snowboard concept
were revisiting the snowboard concept and it really became all-encompassing
and it really became all-encompassing
and it really became all-encompassing and the students got really involved
and the students got really involved
and the students got really involved over the course of several months we
over the course of several months we
over the course of several months we built two prototypes two boards several
built two prototypes two boards several
built two prototypes two boards several months fortunately a crates are a little
months fortunately a crates are a little
months fortunately a crates are a little bit better than that these days but it
bit better than that these days but it
bit better than that these days but it took two months to build the first two
took two months to build the first two
took two months to build the first two prototypes and in that Christmas break
prototypes and in that Christmas break
prototypes and in that Christmas break we took these boards out to Colorado not
we took these boards out to Colorado not
we took these boards out to Colorado not with the students obviously and I was
with the students obviously and I was
with the students obviously and I was expecting the moon the kids were
expecting the moon the kids were
expecting the moon the kids were expecting the moon Austin is a very
expecting the moon Austin is a very
expecting the moon Austin is a very rational person he’s moderate and
rational person he’s moderate and
rational person he’s moderate and expectations and and he was right we
expectations and and he was right we
expectations and and he was right we rode these boards and Austin described
rode these boards and Austin described
rode these boards and Austin described them as like trying to ride a canoe down
them as like trying to ride a canoe down
them as like trying to ride a canoe down the mountain it was like an awful
the mountain it was like an awful
the mountain it was like an awful failure and I was devastated and
failure and I was devastated and
failure and I was devastated and incredibly stubbornly I rode these
incredibly stubbornly I rode these
incredibly stubbornly I rode these things for four days and because we’re
things for four days and because we’re
things for four days and because we’re total nerds we had designed all of these
total nerds we had designed all of these
total nerds we had designed all of these and also teachers we designed all these
and also teachers we designed all these
and also teachers we designed all these studies to then show our kids what great
studies to then show our kids what great
studies to then show our kids what great success looks like right instead we
success looks like right instead we
success looks like right instead we ended up collecting a whole lot of data
ended up collecting a whole lot of data
ended up collecting a whole lot of data on what rock-bottom failure looks like
on what rock-bottom failure looks like
on what rock-bottom failure looks like and so we brought the boards and and we
and so we brought the boards and and we
and so we brought the boards and and we brought the data back to the classroom
brought the data back to the classroom
brought the data back to the classroom and I remember standing there in early
and I remember standing there in early
and I remember standing there in early in early January and sort of with my
in early January and sort of with my
in early January and sort of with my tail between my legs tell my students as
tail between my legs tell my students as
tail between my legs tell my students as this did not go as planned not at all
this did not go as planned not at all
this did not go as planned not at all and so we’re going through these very
and so we’re going through these very
and so we’re going through these very detailed studies right we’ve got we’ve
detailed studies right we’ve got we’ve
detailed studies right we’ve got we’ve sent bores down the slope and you know
sent bores down the slope and you know
sent bores down the slope and you know timers and all the rest of it basically
timers and all the rest of it basically
timers and all the rest of it basically middle school science on the Mount
middle school science on the Mount
middle school science on the Mount and and I told them do you guys are
and and I told them do you guys are
and and I told them do you guys are still responsible for your projects but
still responsible for your projects but
still responsible for your projects but I’m calling it quits because I’ve
I’m calling it quits because I’ve
I’m calling it quits because I’ve already invested way too much time and
already invested way too much time and
already invested way too much time and money and there’s no way I can’t keep
money and there’s no way I can’t keep
money and there’s no way I can’t keep doing this and I’ll never forget this
doing this and I’ll never forget this
doing this and I’ll never forget this moment one of my students Cassius raises
moment one of my students Cassius raises
moment one of my students Cassius raises his hand only kid in the room to raise
his hand only kid in the room to raise
his hand only kid in the room to raise his hand everyone else is just cannot
his hand everyone else is just cannot
his hand everyone else is just cannot believe that they’re hearing this right
believe that they’re hearing this right
believe that they’re hearing this right that we’re going to quit and they’re
that we’re going to quit and they’re
that we’re going to quit and they’re still responsible Cassius raises his
still responsible Cassius raises his
still responsible Cassius raises his hand and he looks me right in the eyes
hand and he looks me right in the eyes
hand and he looks me right in the eyes and he says Mr Gilson if you can quit we
and he says Mr Gilson if you can quit we
and he says Mr Gilson if you can quit we can quit
can quit
can quit nobody will humble you faster than a 5th
nobody will humble you faster than a 5th
nobody will humble you faster than a 5th grader
actually that’s Cassius right there that
actually that’s Cassius right there that is Abdul Basit and that’s Michael in the
is Abdul Basit and that’s Michael in the
is Abdul Basit and that’s Michael in the background this is a woodshop class that
background this is a woodshop class that
background this is a woodshop class that we taught later that year so well I mean
we taught later that year so well I mean
we taught later that year so well I mean what could I do right back to the
what could I do right back to the
what could I do right back to the drawing board that was floored I was
drawing board that was floored I was
drawing board that was floored I was speechless I had nothing to say there’s
speechless I had nothing to say there’s
speechless I had nothing to say there’s no way to get out of that one so we went
no way to get out of that one so we went
no way to get out of that one so we went back to the drawing boards and the
back to the drawing boards and the
back to the drawing boards and the interesting thing that happened here is
interesting thing that happened here is
interesting thing that happened here is we then systematically journaled all of
we then systematically journaled all of
we then systematically journaled all of the failings of the original prototypes
the failings of the original prototypes
the failings of the original prototypes we figured out what went wrong and why
we figured out what went wrong and why
we figured out what went wrong and why and we did this with the students and
and we did this with the students and
and we did this with the students and then we came up with four potential
then we came up with four potential
then we came up with four potential solutions to each one of these problems
solutions to each one of these problems
solutions to each one of these problems showing this iterative process of
showing this iterative process of
showing this iterative process of failure in engineering and so we
failure in engineering and so we
failure in engineering and so we inadvertently showed them what
inadvertently showed them what
inadvertently showed them what rock-bottom failure looks like and now
rock-bottom failure looks like and now
rock-bottom failure looks like and now we’re going to show them what it looks
we’re going to show them what it looks
we’re going to show them what it looks like to climb back out of it and the
like to climb back out of it and the
like to climb back out of it and the interesting thing that happened is that
interesting thing that happened is that
interesting thing that happened is that we invented something called the soft
we invented something called the soft
we invented something called the soft edge which now if you ask anybody about
edge which now if you ask anybody about
edge which now if you ask anybody about the brand the first thing that they will
the brand the first thing that they will
the brand the first thing that they will tell you about is the soft edge the
tell you about is the soft edge the
tell you about is the soft edge the design that made this successful right
design that made this successful right
design that made this successful right there’s a lot more that goes into
there’s a lot more that goes into
there’s a lot more that goes into building a company than just the
building a company than just the
building a company than just the technology and design arguably that’s
technology and design arguably that’s
technology and design arguably that’s less than 1% but the design component
less than 1% but the design component
less than 1% but the design component that has made us successful is the soft
that has made us successful is the soft
that has made us successful is the soft edge and the soft edge is a reactionary
edge and the soft edge is a reactionary
edge and the soft edge is a reactionary design to a total failure that spring we
design to a total failure that spring we
design to a total failure that spring we took our revamped prototypes back out to
took our revamped prototypes back out to
took our revamped prototypes back out to Colorado in the meantime we had blown up
Colorado in the meantime we had blown up
Colorado in the meantime we had blown up one press and we’re no longer even
one press and we’re no longer even
one press and we’re no longer even capable of making snowboards and we had
capable of making snowboards and we had
capable of making snowboards and we had managed to somehow
managed to somehow
managed to somehow get out these three new prototypes
get out these three new prototypes
get out these three new prototypes testing different variations of the soft
testing different variations of the soft
testing different variations of the soft edge which is basically just a bend in
edge which is basically just a bend in
edge which is basically just a bend in the base layer material to lift your
the base layer material to lift your
the base layer material to lift your steel up off the snow is what unlocked
steel up off the snow is what unlocked
steel up off the snow is what unlocked the potential for three-dimensional
the potential for three-dimensional
the potential for three-dimensional design you really can’t take advantage
design you really can’t take advantage
design you really can’t take advantage of a three-dimensional shape if you’re
of a three-dimensional shape if you’re
of a three-dimensional shape if you’re always on one edge or always on the
always on one edge or always on the
always on one edge or always on the other you need to have the ability to
other you need to have the ability to
other you need to have the ability to ride flat and the soft edge is what
ride flat and the soft edge is what
ride flat and the soft edge is what opened those doors and so we took the
opened those doors and so we took the
opened those doors and so we took the new prototypes out to Colorado that
new prototypes out to Colorado that
new prototypes out to Colorado that spring over spring break and totally
spring over spring break and totally
spring over spring break and totally different experience from a qualitative
different experience from a qualitative
different experience from a qualitative standpoint they were a blast from a
standpoint they were a blast from a
standpoint they were a blast from a quantitative standpoint they were
quantitative standpoint they were
quantitative standpoint they were accelerating 26 percent faster than the
accelerating 26 percent faster than the
accelerating 26 percent faster than the standard snowboard turns out nobody
standard snowboard turns out nobody
standard snowboard turns out nobody cares you could already go uncomfortably
cares you could already go uncomfortably
cares you could already go uncomfortably fast on skis and snowboards but what we
fast on skis and snowboards but what we
fast on skis and snowboards but what we had proved is that by changing the shape
had proved is that by changing the shape
had proved is that by changing the shape by designing in three dimensions instead
by designing in three dimensions instead
by designing in three dimensions instead of just calling it flat we could
of just calling it flat we could
of just calling it flat we could fundamentally change the performance
fundamentally change the performance
fundamentally change the performance characteristics of skis and snowboards
characteristics of skis and snowboards
characteristics of skis and snowboards which is what gave us the motivation to
which is what gave us the motivation to
which is what gave us the motivation to build this company that spring we had
build this company that spring we had
build this company that spring we had this hugely emotionally charged
this hugely emotionally charged
this hugely emotionally charged conversation with the students and we
conversation with the students and we
conversation with the students and we had gotten very close at this point over
had gotten very close at this point over
had gotten very close at this point over a couple of years and they said you know
a couple of years and they said you know
a couple of years and they said you know what this is our last year anyway with
what this is our last year anyway with
what this is our last year anyway with you as a teacher you need to go do this
you as a teacher you need to go do this
you as a teacher you need to go do this you need to take this to fruition and so
you need to take this to fruition and so
you need to take this to fruition and so they really did give me that big kick in
they really did give me that big kick in
they really did give me that big kick in the butt to actually go full-time and do
the butt to actually go full-time and do
the butt to actually go full-time and do this we then moved with our initial team
this we then moved with our initial team
this we then moved with our initial team to central Pennsylvania to a cabin in
to central Pennsylvania to a cabin in
to central Pennsylvania to a cabin in the woods with no running water and
the woods with no running water and
the woods with no running water and electricity we were hiking out each day
electricity we were hiking out each day
electricity we were hiking out each day to a donkey stable we’re building
to a donkey stable we’re building
to a donkey stable we’re building snowboards Minimum Viable products I
snowboards Minimum Viable products I
snowboards Minimum Viable products I should say I was with processees stacked
should say I was with processees stacked
should say I was with processees stacked on top of each other in a donkey stable
on top of each other in a donkey stable
on top of each other in a donkey stable we had a C&C by far the most expensive
we had a C&C by far the most expensive
we had a C&C by far the most expensive thing I had ever owned in my life at
thing I had ever owned in my life at
thing I had ever owned in my life at that stage you know CNC robot right
that stage you know CNC robot right
that stage you know CNC robot right accurate 2 mm of an inch accuracy in a
accurate 2 mm of an inch accuracy in a
accurate 2 mm of an inch accuracy in a donkey stable with a donkey next to it I
donkey stable with a donkey next to it I
donkey stable with a donkey next to it I mean an active donkey stable we had
mean an active donkey stable we had
mean an active donkey stable we had process he stacked up on top of each
process he stacked up on top of each
process he stacked up on top of each other one of the most important things
other one of the most important things
other one of the most important things when you’re doing high pressure
when you’re doing high pressure
when you’re doing high pressure lamination is cleanliness let me remind
lamination is cleanliness let me remind
lamination is cleanliness let me remind you or it had Tom’s table and so and so
you or it had Tom’s table and so and so
you or it had Tom’s table and so and so here we are that that summer we managed
here we are that that summer we managed
here we are that that summer we managed to produce 30 or 40 minimum viable
to produce 30 or 40 minimum viable
to produce 30 or 40 minimum viable products it looked like garbage
products it looked like garbage
products it looked like garbage they were falling apart but they were
they were falling apart but they were
they were falling apart but they were snowboards we took them on the road we
snowboards we took them on the road we
snowboards we took them on the road we travelled 17,000 miles in a truck with
travelled 17,000 miles in a truck with
travelled 17,000 miles in a truck with 200,000 miles on it and an Airstream
200,000 miles on it and an Airstream
200,000 miles on it and an Airstream trailer from 1976 and we collected a lot
trailer from 1976 and we collected a lot
trailer from 1976 and we collected a lot of data and it was a nationwide party we
of data and it was a nationwide party we
of data and it was a nationwide party we also learned a lot we went as far east
also learned a lot we went as far east
also learned a lot we went as far east as Maine as far west as California and
as Maine as far west as California and
as Maine as far west as California and we basically let people try these things
we basically let people try these things
we basically let people try these things totally for free just give us your
totally for free just give us your
totally for free just give us your feedback we had enough encouragement
feedback we had enough encouragement
feedback we had enough encouragement coming back from that trip to fully move
coming back from that trip to fully move
coming back from that trip to fully move forward but we didn’t understand is that
forward but we didn’t understand is that
forward but we didn’t understand is that while riders themselves were adopting
while riders themselves were adopting
while riders themselves were adopting this quickly falling in love and so have
this quickly falling in love and so have
this quickly falling in love and so have never felt anything like that before and
never felt anything like that before and
never felt anything like that before and not only does it feel fundamentally
not only does it feel fundamentally
not only does it feel fundamentally different but it also feels
different but it also feels
different but it also feels fundamentally better when we hit our
fundamentally better when we hit our
fundamentally better when we hit our first major business failure that spring
first major business failure that spring
first major business failure that spring we moved into it into the shop now right
we moved into it into the shop now right
we moved into it into the shop now right when you’re got a team of people around
when you’re got a team of people around
when you’re got a team of people around one Northstar one vision right one of
one Northstar one vision right one of
one Northstar one vision right one of the really important things is to show
the really important things is to show
the really important things is to show constant improvements to the quality of
constant improvements to the quality of
constant improvements to the quality of life and it’s way easier if you start
life and it’s way easier if you start
life and it’s way easier if you start with the bar really low and so when we
with the bar really low and so when we
with the bar really low and so when we moved into the shop we now had all the
moved into the shop we now had all the
moved into the shop we now had all the finer things like running water and
finer things like running water and
finer things like running water and electricity and heats and but if you
electricity and heats and but if you
electricity and heats and but if you look at our inventory shelves they look
look at our inventory shelves they look
look at our inventory shelves they look a lot like bunk beds because they were
a lot like bunk beds because they were
a lot like bunk beds because they were uh and so we we then hit our first major
uh and so we we then hit our first major
uh and so we we then hit our first major business failure we failure we got
business failure we failure we got
business failure we failure we got rejected by over 3,000 retailers over
rejected by over 3,000 retailers over
rejected by over 3,000 retailers over the next 18 months pull out reject it
the next 18 months pull out reject it
the next 18 months pull out reject it and they didn’t really say the nicest
and they didn’t really say the nicest
and they didn’t really say the nicest things when they rejected this either
things when they rejected this either
things when they rejected this either not all of them still remember most of
not all of them still remember most of
not all of them still remember most of them it’s so and so after 18 months of
them it’s so and so after 18 months of
them it’s so and so after 18 months of refining trying to figure out how we’re
refining trying to figure out how we’re
refining trying to figure out how we’re going to do this we ultimately it was
going to do this we ultimately it was
going to do this we ultimately it was really the first business wives
really the first business wives
really the first business wives memorandum that I put out which was that
memorandum that I put out which was that
memorandum that I put out which was that no one is to spend a second of their
no one is to spend a second of their
no one is to spend a second of their time or a penny of money pursuing a
time or a penny of money pursuing a
time or a penny of money pursuing a retail relationship unless they contact
retail relationship unless they contact
retail relationship unless they contact us first and the interesting thing that
us first and the interesting thing that
us first and the interesting thing that happened is we then took a group of
happened is we then took a group of
happened is we then took a group of insanely talented people and put them on
insanely talented people and put them on
insanely talented people and put them on figuring out how to deliver skis and
figuring out how to deliver skis and
figuring out how to deliver skis and snowboards to end-users directly and
snowboards to end-users directly and
snowboards to end-users directly and fast forwarding this has now allowed us
fast forwarding this has now allowed us
fast forwarding this has now allowed us with the power of the internet and FedEx
with the power of the internet and FedEx
with the power of the internet and FedEx right it’s a changing world out there
right it’s a changing world out there
right it’s a changing world out there it’s allowed us to invest in way higher
it’s allowed us to invest in way higher
it’s allowed us to invest in way higher quality raw materials better build
quality raw materials better build
quality raw materials better build practices we do it on American soil
practices we do it on American soil
practices we do it on American soil paint a mirror
paint a mirror
paint a mirror can wages and most importantly we
can wages and most importantly we
can wages and most importantly we develop really meaningful long-term
develop really meaningful long-term
develop really meaningful long-term relationships within our community not
relationships within our community not
relationships within our community not with other businesses with other
with other businesses with other
with other businesses with other businesses distributors retailers
businesses distributors retailers
businesses distributors retailers wholesalers that then talk to our actual
wholesalers that then talk to our actual
wholesalers that then talk to our actual community and none of this would have
community and none of this would have
community and none of this would have happened without a very painful series
happened without a very painful series
happened without a very painful series of failures and all the learning
of failures and all the learning
of failures and all the learning associated so what can these experiences
associated so what can these experiences
associated so what can these experiences tell us about the future and our
tell us about the future and our
tell us about the future and our education system well the jobs of the
education system well the jobs of the
education system well the jobs of the future are changing and many of our
future are changing and many of our
future are changing and many of our schools are not yet adapting to teach
schools are not yet adapting to teach
schools are not yet adapting to teach the new skills needed creativity
the new skills needed creativity
the new skills needed creativity innovative thinking and social
innovative thinking and social
innovative thinking and social intelligence are becoming the only
intelligence are becoming the only
intelligence are becoming the only things in demand for human labor and not
things in demand for human labor and not
things in demand for human labor and not repetitive tasks that can be measured on
repetitive tasks that can be measured on
repetitive tasks that can be measured on a grade A through F scale multiple
a grade A through F scale multiple
a grade A through F scale multiple choice questions and the ability to
choice questions and the ability to
choice questions and the ability to regurgitate information that is arguably
regurgitate information that is arguably
regurgitate information that is arguably useless if not definitely useless is
useless if not definitely useless is
useless if not definitely useless is being made irrelevant in this age of
being made irrelevant in this age of
being made irrelevant in this age of look it up so we as people need to adapt
look it up so we as people need to adapt
look it up so we as people need to adapt faster than ever before and our schools
faster than ever before and our schools
faster than ever before and our schools need to be leading the movement in the
need to be leading the movement in the
need to be leading the movement in the time that we have taken flight put man
time that we have taken flight put man
time that we have taken flight put man on the moon and then globally connected
on the moon and then globally connected
on the moon and then globally connected billions of people worldwide with these
billions of people worldwide with these
billions of people worldwide with these little devices in our pocket we have
little devices in our pocket we have
little devices in our pocket we have continued to teach with pencil and paper
continued to teach with pencil and paper
continued to teach with pencil and paper and we’re teaching skills that are now
and we’re teaching skills that are now
and we’re teaching skills that are now antiquated if we do not redirect we will
antiquated if we do not redirect we will
antiquated if we do not redirect we will train the next generations to be 20th
train the next generations to be 20th
train the next generations to be 20th century factory workers in a world where
century factory workers in a world where
century factory workers in a world where the pace of change is accelerating not
the pace of change is accelerating not
the pace of change is accelerating not at the beginning I mentioned that I have
at the beginning I mentioned that I have
at the beginning I mentioned that I have no idea what I’m talking about and I
no idea what I’m talking about and I
no idea what I’m talking about and I maintain that this is very much true but
maintain that this is very much true but
maintain that this is very much true but nobody does when exploring uncharted
nobody does when exploring uncharted
nobody does when exploring uncharted waters and that is why failure is the
waters and that is why failure is the
waters and that is why failure is the most important tool we have it is how we
most important tool we have it is how we
most important tool we have it is how we explore new territory our students grew
explore new territory our students grew
explore new territory our students grew from 18% proficiency to 89% proficiency
from 18% proficiency to 89% proficiency
from 18% proficiency to 89% proficiency our school went from being unranked to
our school went from being unranked to
our school went from being unranked to having our program be in the top four in
having our program be in the top four in
having our program be in the top four in the district
the district
the district and together with our students we built
and together with our students we built
and together with our students we built the foundation for this company out of
the foundation for this company out of
the foundation for this company out of the classroom we did this by shifting
the classroom we did this by shifting
the classroom we did this by shifting our mindsets around failure so we must
our mindsets around failure so we must
our mindsets around failure so we must not teach our students to be afraid of
not teach our students to be afraid of
not teach our students to be afraid of failure and avoid it as a means to
failure and avoid it as a means to
failure and avoid it as a means to success because successful people and
success because successful people and
success because successful people and successful organizations are not the
successful organizations are not the
successful organizations are not the ones that managed to navigate around all
ones that managed to navigate around all
ones that managed to navigate around all failure and obstacle they’re the ones
failure and obstacle they’re the ones
failure and obstacle they’re the ones that responded to it well instead we
that responded to it well instead we
that responded to it well instead we must teach our students and ourselves
must teach our students and ourselves
must teach our students and ourselves for that matter how to learn from
for that matter how to learn from
for that matter how to learn from failure how to productively process the
failure how to productively process the
failure how to productively process the Associated emotions and then how to use
Associated emotions and then how to use
Associated emotions and then how to use it all for growth and so with this I
it all for growth and so with this I
it all for growth and so with this I encourage you to fail quickly fail
encourage you to fail quickly fail
encourage you to fail quickly fail cheaply and then get creative
”
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