Authentic
A Memoir by the Founder of Vans
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
From high school dropout to sneaker icon: the authentic story of Vans' founder.
In the tradition of Shoe Dog, Authentic is the candid memoir of Paul Van Doren, detailing his journey building Vans from a small family business into a global brand beloved for its laid-back SoCal vibe and people-oriented culture.
Discover the unlikely path of this blue-collar innovator, from a 16-year-old factory worker to a visionary who revolutionized the sneaker industry. Authentic shares Van Doren's hard-won business lessons:
Prioritize values and people over profits.Embrace improvisation and innovation.Build a strong brand identity.
For entrepreneurs, business students, and anyone seeking inspiration, Authentic reveals the grit, determination, and off-the-wall spirit behind an all-American success story.
Customer Reviews
Came for the shoe story, left with a business masterclass
I wanted to read this for quite some time. At 47, I was wearing Vans’ shoes skateboarding as a kid many years ago and have done ever since. It was such an interesting insight to see what was going on within the Vans business while I was tick-tacking and Ollie-ing with my beloved sneakers over so many years. And the business insight; not just for Paul’s Van Doren Rubber Co, but the subtle lessons that can be learned throughout the book. Really, really good and definitely worth the read.