Collegiate Times

Co-founder of JanSport signs copies of his book after speaking to students in Squires.

This year marks JanSport's 40th anniversary, and last night, Skip Yowell, co-founder of JanSport promoted his memoir "The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder and Other Mountains."

Yowell is not your typical business man wearing a black suite and tie. Yowell was dressed in a silky short sleeve purple button down and faded jeans. His dark tan and relaxed persona paralleled his passion for outdoor adventure.

"Life is a gift, just follow your dreams," said Yowell, during his presentation.

In 1967, Yowell and his two co-founders, Murray and Jan Pletz were determined to revolutionize outdoor sports with a product inspired by their own expeditions.

Their company began when Murray said to Jan, "If you marry me, I'll name my company after you."

Thus, the name JanSport was chosen for their outdoor products.

In the beginning Jan sewed all the daypacks and made the patterns, but now the company is one of the most global in its market.

Yowell said JanSport was the first company to place a zipper in a daypack. This design was made for for cross country skiers and hiking; but, the fad soon spread to students who wanted to keep their books dry in the rain.

One of the key components for JanSport is to listen to the customer, Yowell said. In the early days of their business they had a cowbell in the front of their small retail store, so customers could let them know when they needed assistance.

Another component that Yowell talked about was taking risks with the products. Yowell experimented with some dog backpacks while the company was located in Seattle.

"I figured we could put food in one side and a six pack of beer in the other," Yowell said.

Despite this innovation, the 100 units produced did not sell. However, other risky ventures paid off.

While on a cross-country ski trip in the North Cascades, the three founders noticed the inefficiency of the classic a-frame tents. This inspired them to modify the tent after that of the Eskimo igloo. Thus, Jansport was the first company to create the dome tent. The first 50 units sold immediately without advertising and the demand soared.

During the '70s Yowell decided that they would incorporate some fashion in the product. Inspired by the Beatles' psychedelic classic Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, sleeping bags, daypacks, tents, and other products were made in bright colors and not just your typical hunter green and brown.

Some of the expeditions Yowell and his crew took could be exceptionally expensive. A trip to Tibet cost $220,000. A unique way they fundraised for this expedition was to sell yaks to businesses. A business could donate $500 to the expedition in return for a framed picture of the Yak next to their business name.

Another expedition made by Yowell to test the durability of his product was to the Kangchenjunga Mountain in Nepal. During this expedition only 75 out of the 125 boxes of food arrived at base camp.

Much to Yowell's dismay, the whiskey and popcorn were not among the boxes that made it, Yowell said.

During that trip Yowell started at 150 pounds and lost a total of 30 pounds because of physical exertion. This trip taught Yowell that "sometimes your'e gonna face adversity," a principle he applies to business today.

JanSport sold to the ski company K2 to expand their product in 1972 and after several business dealings became a part of VF Corporation in 1986.

JanSport will be tailgating at the game this Saturday in their custom VW bus on the South West side of the stadium. Any JanSport merchandise purchases made at the University Bookstores will be rewarded with a free gift at the tailgate with proof of purchase.

The tailgate will also be cooking breakfast and have other free promotional items on Saturday.

Student brand ambassadors for JanSport have been instrumental in planning and promoting these events. Amber Moore, Junior, hospitality and tourism management major, and Jamie Johnson, senior hospitality and tourism management major have had the task of creating student brand loyalty to JanSport.

Moore and Johnson will be hosting a JanSport fashion show in October as well as other events throughout the year.