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      After 20 years in the surf, skate and snowboard business, founder Chip Wilson took the first commercial yoga class offered in Vancouver and found the result exhilarating. Cotton clothing was being used for sweaty, stretchy power yoga and seemed completely inappropriate to Chip, whose passion lay in technical athletic fabrics. From this, a design studio was born that became a yoga studio at night to pay the rent. Clothing was offered for sale and an underground yoga clothing movement was born. The success of the clothing was dependent on the feedback from yoga instructors who were asked to wear the products and provide their insights.

      Founded in 1998, lululemon's first real store opened in the beach area of Vancouver BC called Kitsilano, in November of 2000. The idea was to have the store be a community hub where people could learn and discuss the physical aspects of healthy living from yoga and diet to running and cycling as well as the mental aspects of living a powerful life of possibilities. Unfortunately for this concept, the store became so busy that it was impossible to help the customer in this way in addition to selling the product. So the focus of training shifted solely to the lululemon educator or staff person. Our goal was to train our people so well that they could in fact positively influence their families, communities and the people walking into our stores.

Although the initial goal was to only have one store, it was soon obvious that to provide a fulfilling life of growth, family, salary and mortgage for our amazing staff, we would have to provide more opportunities. It was really a matter of grow or die because active minds need a challenge.

     According to CNNMoney, lululemon athletica was one of the top 10 fastest growing companies in 2012. In 2013, it ranked number 21 and made the list for its third consecutive year. However, with that said 2013 has not been the best year for lululemon. In March of 2013, there was a problem with the sheerness of their line of yoga pants made with the fabric Luon. The pants were later recalled after numerous customer complaints. Three months later their CEO, Christine Day, announced her resignment from the position, to the surprise of many. Immediately after her resignation, their stock fell 20%. Currently, the company is still searching for a CEO and trying to bounce back from the setbacks.

 

*Taken from www.lululemon.com

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