Listen "The North Face: Hap Klopp"
Episode Synopsis
Thank you for tuning into "Starting Small", a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode, I am joined by Hap Klopp, Founder and ex-CEO of The North Face, one of the world's leading outdoor apparel brands. Growing up in Washington, Hap was drawn to the outdoors and exploration. His family had a company in which Hap later took over and sold following his years at Stanford University.
Following Stanford, Hap realized he didn't fit in corporate business, after numerous interviews requiring dress code and for his real name, "Kenneth" to be used, rather than Hap. He then went on to use the money left from the family business, to purchase a number of existing outdoor product stores, on the west coast. These stores began to expand as they transitioned to become The North Face, and manufactured their own products. From the start, Hap's vision with The North Face was to replace existing clothing with better insulated and lightweight material, that would ultimately allow for further exploration.
Make sure to check out Hap's book, Conquering the North Face: An Adventure in Leadership at: https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-North-Face-Adventure-Leadership/dp/1475965648/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Hap+Klopp&qid=1611864243&sr=8-1
Follow Starting Small:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle
Check out my favorite journal by LEUCHTTURM1917 at: https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/notebook-medium-a5-hardcover-251-numbered-pages-5-3-4-x-8-1-4-in.html
Following Stanford, Hap realized he didn't fit in corporate business, after numerous interviews requiring dress code and for his real name, "Kenneth" to be used, rather than Hap. He then went on to use the money left from the family business, to purchase a number of existing outdoor product stores, on the west coast. These stores began to expand as they transitioned to become The North Face, and manufactured their own products. From the start, Hap's vision with The North Face was to replace existing clothing with better insulated and lightweight material, that would ultimately allow for further exploration.
Make sure to check out Hap's book, Conquering the North Face: An Adventure in Leadership at: https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-North-Face-Adventure-Leadership/dp/1475965648/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Hap+Klopp&qid=1611864243&sr=8-1
Follow Starting Small:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle
Check out my favorite journal by LEUCHTTURM1917 at: https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/notebook-medium-a5-hardcover-251-numbered-pages-5-3-4-x-8-1-4-in.html
More episodes of the podcast Starting Small
CellarTracker: Eric LeVine
08/01/2026
LIT: Justin Norris
12/12/2025
French Florist: Michael Jacobson
26/11/2025
Pocono Mountain Maple: Nicole Bentler
07/11/2025
Whisker (Litter-Robot): Jacob Zuppke
23/10/2025
Nomi Health: Mark Newman
16/10/2025
MINNIDIP: Emily Vaca
14/10/2025
Highland: Boone Whiteside and Ben Medalie
03/10/2025
BeatBox Beverages: Justin Fenchel
19/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.