Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Walden Paddlers

Larson, Andrea

Case

Walden Paddlers

Larson, Andrea

ENT-0027 | Published March 4, 1997 | 19 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

Product Details

This case describes the process that entrepreneur Paul Farrow went through to establish his kayak company between 1992 and 1996. After being laid off from a more traditional corporate position, Farrow came across an idea that suited his business skills, experience, and values. The case chronicles the steps he took to be the first in the industry to design and produce an inexpensive, high-performance recreational kayak from recycled plastic materials. Key to Walden Paddlers' $1-million sales in 1995 was the company's ability to forge close alliances with key suppliers and customers while keeping fixed costs down by managing a virtual corporation.