A more compassionate capitalism, with Cotopaxi’s Davis Smith

This Masters of Scale podcast episode features an interview with Davis Smith, founder of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear company with a social justice mission. The conversation covers Smith's entrepreneurial journey, including a failed e-commerce venture in Brazil and the subsequent creation of Cotopaxi, emphasizing the importance of aligning business with personal values. Smith details his unique launch strategy involving llamas and a 24-hour adventure race, generating significant social media buzz. He discusses the company's "Do Good" mission, its B Corp status, and his decision to step away from the CEO role to serve a church mission in Brazil. A key takeaway is Smith's belief that businesses can be a force for good, demonstrating that profitability and social impact are not mutually exclusive.