One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and AP [Hardcover]

Gert Boyle (Author), Kerry Tymchuk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

When a heart attack claimed Bert Boyle's husband in 1970, the forty-six-year-old housewife and mother of three found herself at the helm of Columbia Sportswear, a small and financially struggling outerwear manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. With no business experience whatsoever, Boyle was faced with the challenge running Columbia, which had been founded in 1937 by her father-a Jewish immigrant who fled Hitler's Germany to come to America. Though many expected Boyle to fail, she and her son Tim persevered, and kept the business afloat through very challenging times. In 1970, Columbia Sportswear boasted forty employees and $800,000 in annual sales. Under the leadership of Gert and Tim Boyle, the company now has more than two thousand employees, annual sales approaching one billion dollars, and is the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. And thanks to a creative advertising campaign that billed her as "one tough mother," Gert Boyle has become an icon in her industry, and she is the first woman ever inducted into the International Sporting Goods Hall of Fame. In ONE TOUGH MOTHER, Boyle presents and honest, open, and often irreverent account of her truly remarkable journey from a childhood in Nazi Germany to fame and fortune in America. Boyle offers insights into succeeding in business and in life, and shares many of the advertisements and strategies that have made her so recognizable. Her story is one that will inspire anyone who dreams of turning a small business into a bigger business, as well as individuals who find themselves facing circumstances beyond their control.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...the Boyle's have created a business rarity: a family-controlled company that succeeds in spite of squabbling." -- The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2005

[Boyle] proved everyone wrong at a time when women just didn't run big businesses. -- Publishers Weekly BEA Show Daily, June 4, 2005

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Westwiinds Press (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558689087
• ISBN-13: 978-1558689084
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Tough Mother, August 7, 2005

By 

Hyla Lipson "fiber lady" (Grants Pass, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and AP (Hardcover)

By the time you finish the book, you feel as if you are having a one on one meeting with Gert. It's a fast read -- and even has great illustrations from past advertising campaigns. It feels good to read a book with a happy ending -- and shows that hard work, listening to others, and caring is what it takes to succeed. I too have a business and have gone through hard times. Gert's words made me think I can still pull myself up, dust myself off and get where I want to go. I have purchased 4 additional copies and have already sent them off to business friends of mine.

It's not a Harvard Business School type of book. Some may find it too short and sweet. I found it delicious -- (and I don't mean just the recipe).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick bites of inspiration., May 29, 2006

By 

amy young-leith (Salem, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and AP (Hardcover)

If you're looking for a hard hitting business manual, or even a thorough history of Columbia Sportswear, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a very quick read full of no-nonesense advice, straight talk and a few laughs, then this is for you.

Gert Boyle, from what I read here, is rather straight forward. She won't get all gushy about management approaches, philosophies and the like. Truth is, her manual would read something like this: work hard, use your head and when you aren't smart enough to figure something out, at least be smart enough to find someone else who can. And that's what I found refreshing about this quick entertaining read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book!, August 22, 2005

By 

M. Hathaway "Max" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and AP (Hardcover)

What a wonderful treat to read about Gert Boyle's unique life. It's not only about success in business, but it's about triumph, history, the Pacific Northwest, advertising and motherhood. It's a great way to learn how to live a meaningful life!

The best part about this book is that all of Gert's royalties will be donated to CASA and the Special Olympics. It's an all around feel great experience.