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Book of the Month

One Tough Mother
Gert Boyle with Kerry Tymchuk

Mother, Tycoon and a generous soul are but a few of the descriptors that could describe Gert Boyle according to Eunice Kennedy Shriver – Founder of the Special Olympics. (Gert is a stron supporter and well know by everyone at the 'Special Olympics')



Personally I would add guts, determination and a direct no nonsense manner directed straight on course for success. While she admits that taking Columbia Sportswear from 800,000 a year to $600,000 a year was not her most accomplished feat, Gert Boyle showed the world that a husband’s death and a deficit when it comes to business knowledge, will never stand in the way of success for the likes of “One Tough Mother”.



The book by the same name is the story of the challenge Gert Boyle faced, walking into the office for the very first time as an employee the Monday after her husband suddenly passed away.



Determined to make the business continue, she faced challenge after challenge and even entered the mouth of the dragon at one point – almost forced to sell Columbia off piece by piece.



But the dragon was a wimp in the face of this fiery mama – and with a few sharp words she sent the prospective buyer (aka thief) on his way and rebuilt what stands today as Columbia Sportswear – one garment at a time.



The book is filled with anecdotes and straight forward common sense about how Gert put the company on the road to being the largest sportswear company in America.



It is a fabulous read – full of courage and laughter. Included in the book are Gert’s notorious ads – that alone will get you thinking about how you can market yourself or product better than ever.



And don’t let the book cover fool you. The tattoo “Born to Nag” is temporary. It just illustrates Gert’s penchant for the outrageous!



Review by Mandie Crawford. Copyright 2008

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