Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish
david posted this 27th October 2009 6:21pm
Yesterday was my last day at howies.
It was my choice to leave.
It was a hard thing to do and easy thing to do.
The morale of the story is simple.
If you find something you love, you should never sell your love.
When other people own your dream, destiny is no longer in your hands.
And yes, leaving the company I helped to start is super-painful.
But pain makes for a good teacher if you listen to what it is telling you.
It teaches you what is important to you. And what is not.
So from this day forward howies will begin to appear in my rear-view mirror.
At the same time I will be sitting in my shed with Sonny (my dog) working away on the future.
Keeping me company will be the knowledge that Patagonia was not Yvon’s first company, Esprit was not Doug’s first company, and Steve Jobs got sacked from Apple.
For me those are good role models to have in the shed with you.
Luckily for howies Clare is staying. She will be the soul-keeper now.
And lastly, I just wanted to say thank you to you.
It’s been fun working for you.
My thanks.
David Hieatt
At an appropriate time, I will write a magazine article telling you all the behind the scenes bits that made me decide to leave.
tim
lydia
carnaby st
bristol shop
ade
jon
david hicks
emma.r
anna
ruben
cardiganshop
hollie
mel
paul
aron
pete
lisa
emma
ben
kim
nick
james
mike
chrisv
teri
lily
howies
chris
hayley
tomos
madelyn
tidy
scania
howies
alison
tomj
October 27th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Hi David,
In the past you’ve described howies like having a baby. You are the parent. You watch it try to walk. You pick it up when it falls. No one cares about it like you. No one frets like a parent.
We don’t pretend to know what it must feel like to walk away from something you’ve watched grow for the past 14 years but we hope you’ll leave today with the feeling that what you and Clare have created is much bigger than howies.
You’ve shown us and others like us there is a better way to do business, even if it means letting people know when you’ve messed up. Even on those days when everyone it seems is kicking our arse we think about the journey you and Clare have taken with howies and draw great strength from it.
Your support of our small company and the time you have given us has been amazing and for that we’d like to say thank you.
You are a constant source of inspiration to us and through the DoLectures you will continue to inspire others too.
Grow slow, grow strong.
James, Chris & Stuart
Fudge Replied:
October 30th, 2009 at 11:13 am
WOW !
Didn’t see that one coming.
When you made the move with Timberland, we though, here we go, but you kept your integrity and if you loose that then what have you got.
The brand you have created is amazing and we look forward to receiving the latest catalogue, not just for the product but for an amazing read.
Will they be able to retain all of what you have created in your absence, well we look on with anticipation.
If your planing on doing any writing in that shed of yours then please do keep us posted.
You have an amazing gift and if you fancy applying it to some of the Fudge ethos than give us a call.
Big respect as always.
Never stop learning.
All at Fudge.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
David – thanks for creating something amazing. I’m sure you’ll be hugely missed. Enjoy your time in the shed…
October 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
David, wishing you all the best for the future :-)
The howies in the rear view mirror is something you and Clare should be very, very proud of.
“If you find something you love, you should never sell your love.
When other people own your dream, destiny is no longer in your hands.”
Amen.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
“Stay hungry, Stay Foolish” (Steve Jobs) and Good Luck!
October 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by howies: Yesterday was my last day at howies. It was my choice to leave. It was a hard thing to do and easy thing to do. The… http://ff.im/-aBuz9...
October 27th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Congratulations on being so successful with Howies, David.
And best wishes for an (inevitably) amazing future!
Neil
p.s. And thank you for being the brains behind Do Lectures. A life-changing weekend…. :-)
October 27th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
For the times they are a-changin’
October 27th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
David,
Thank you for creating such a great company, I look forward to hearing about your next adventure.
All the best.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Miss you already.
I like the idea of sitting in the shed with your dog, something I want to do someday when I make my own company.
Thanks to you and all your inspiration, here’s to dreaming x
October 27th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
All the best for the future to you and your family.
Hold on to your dreams.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
NO!
October 27th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DOcreative, Emily Hare. Emily Hare said: David from Howie's leaving blog post is really sweet, if sad. We're waiting for the follow-up: http://brainfood.howies.co.uk/2009/10/11295/ [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
All the best
October 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
What a great ride you’ve had, and what inspiration you’ve provided for so many people (and warm, nice clothes etc).
Best of luck with the next phase
October 28th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Nooooo! Good Luck Dave, and thanks loads for howies.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:11 am
David – thank you for the inspiration – and thank you for the time you and Clare gave me in January. I’ll miss the guidance you gave us in your blogs, and your passion for doing things right… On to the next chapter.
Good luck and good health!
Darren Weston
October 28th, 2009 at 9:29 am
David, I can’t wait to find out what you come up with in your shed because I know it’ll be great.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
What?? No! Stay young and invincible.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Good luck, go well and thank-you. You’ve made a difference.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Thanks. I like your gear.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Amazing things happen in sheds!
October 28th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
David, used your clothing from the early days, love it….what ever your choice for the future…good luck.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Shed Envy…! Good luck mate, not that you will need it.
Cheers
Anth
October 28th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I don’t know you personally. But, I have always looked forward to your posts on this blog. I must say we will all miss your writing. How about starting your own blog, if you have the time? Now, I know it sounds soppy but this post resulted in a lump in my throat. Why the hell do businesses let the real people go? They desperately need you to stick around, but they’re just too proud to admit it. Which is sad. What if Steve Jobs didn’t get fired in the first place? The iphones might have been out in the nineties, who knows. Apple might never have lost market-share to PCs. We wouldn’t have had to put up with microsoft’s bad taste.
Nonetheless, I wish both you and Howies all the best.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I have always found Howies to be an inspirational company and now I have started my own business it is also a model of how a business should express itself and stay true to its ethos and vision.
Thanks for the great clothes, videos, photos, blog posts, catalogues, website…
Best of luck
October 28th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
thank you so much
Stephen Replied:
October 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Take your vision, and your energy into energy.
The world needs pioneers to create viable means of powering the planet equitably.
Good luck fella.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
[...] now David is leaving, which he reflects upon briefly here. Its an interesting and bold move, he seems a very creative and challenging character, and is a [...]
October 29th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
an inspiration to us all;
all the best in future endeavours,
October 29th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I guess that’s what happens when you sell-out to a multi-national…….
October 29th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Good luck!
At times I’ve been guessing whether I’ve been on the same london-carmarthen train as you
October 29th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Howies has been such an inspiration throughout my years as a design student, practising designer, tutor and now freelancer. Always along the way I looked forward to reading and being inspired by the ‘rants’ and the insights in the catalogue as much as seeing the new threads.
Howies has given so much more than just fashion for the masses and a new model for future/existing companies to strive towards. Not to mention the stacks of inspiration/motivation that the ‘DO’ Lectures has generated!
If we never made change and ventured to pastures new, great things wouldn’t happen…
Thank you and good luck x
October 29th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Dave
as always you express yourself brilliantly in just the right amount of words – your comments resonate with me more than you’ll ever know.
whatever the next step is, plant that foot firmly, stride forward, dont look back too often and stay hungry…
cheers
peaky
oh and drink tea and eat cake!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
you’ve certainly ‘dented the universe’ with your passionate beliefs & great products. it’s a real shame more companies don’t have your desire to make a positive difference.
good luck, best wishes & thank you
October 29th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Been a massive fan for Howies for longer than I dare remember. I recommend Howies to anyone who’ll listen and have an enviable back catalogue of Howies gear. I’ve listened and believed for a long time.
So I’m happy to know that wherever your end up you’ll take the same outlook on the world around us to make a similar difference in whatever you do next. Have fun.
Peace. Love. Future.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I feel kinda emotional to read this. But look forward to the next project. I’m sure it will be equally visionary.
Good luck, David and Clare
October 29th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Damn. Shame.
I’m sure you’ll make your future as great as your past.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
David :)
You are an inspiration, a dreamer, a brave soul and someone who matters. It’s hard to leave behind something so big but so much better to keep following your heart, and being real is at the heart of the Howies that you created. Whatever happens with Howies, those of us who have followed the company over the years have felt every little bit of love you have put into it and it’s something that’s made us all better people. Your designs, words and inspiration have given us something priceless and helped us all be better people. So good on you mate and I hope all the good karma that you put out for all of us is coming back to give you great things a hundredfold :)
Life – for a limited period only, after all :)
Be happy
:)
October 29th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK
I work all night and I work all day
I make nice clothes, I eat my lunch, I go to the Teifi
I really don’t like shopping and what it does to me
I’ve cut my ties, I skip and jump
I’ve got a shed by the Teifi
best of luck.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
ditto on the lump in throat.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
dave sad to see your leaving your dream behind, i remember the early days when you first started, the sale at the NEC bike show in the back of the truck many more happy memories, all the best for the future
October 29th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
David,You should be so proud of what you and Clare have acheived at Howies,your clothes are the best,your catalogues/blogs/newsletters always make me smile and The Do Lectures inform ,inspire,and help me to turn vague thoughts into practical action.All this from buying a T-Shirt 6 years ago! Guess thats what you’d call making a difference. All the best to you and Clare.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:07 am
Hey Dave.
You’ve done an excellent job at Howies, and I really wish you all the best in the future – and look forward to hearing more about whats really been going on and what you’ve learnt over the past few years…
More than that though – I really look forward to hearing about what you come up with in the shed.
All the best man
October 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am
All I want to say is a big, fat, heartfelt thank you…
…for the clothes,
…for the catalogues,
…for the company.
But most of all, for the words.
In a world which is drowning in “content”, your carefully chosen words always provided a much needed kick to the heart. And the head.
Thanks for the inspiration.
And here’s to whatever you create next… I for one will be watching closely.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:25 am
hi there David.
I have been very very motivated by your setting up Howies… i work in advertising as an art director and a colleague and I really want to set up a venture together…
we too, like you love the outdoors and of yet haven’t managed to get our company off the ground… But one day we hope to. It’s stories like yours that inspire lots of creative types out there and I wish you every success with your new ventures.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Good luck with whatever you do in future, Dave!
It’s heartening to see howies keeping the Aberteifi dream alive!
I’ll be watching the blogosphere for news of what comes next from the Hieatt empire!
October 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Your piece about finding your love made me quit my job. And I’ve never looked back.
Thanks for being something authentic in a world of half-truths.
Thanks for giving a t-shirt voice to wisdom we all share.
Thanks for a pair of jeans that still make me smile in the cold, dark morning.
Thanks Dave.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:50 am
David,
I remember seeing a howies t-shirt in a sale about 10 years ago and couldn’t believe it was organic cotton. I have looked forward to receiving your catalogue ever since, as much for the words as the wonderful clothes.
Your spirit and resolution has built a beautiful company I as a customer can feel proud of and I can’t wait to see where your shed (and your spirit) takes you next.
Love and light
Adrian
October 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Don’t wait to long for the next thing, your too good to sit around, you made a difference whilst you did the business. And next time don’t sell it. You don’t need me to tell you that do you.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I still see an image of a child wearing a crash helmet and big gloves chasing another kid around the garden with a little motion blur. Perfect memory! Thanks for it.
You tried to make a difference which is the main thing and you were passionate about it – good luck with the next chapter…
October 30th, 2009 at 11:56 am
David,
Howies is and continues to be one of our fav companies.
You have done great things and we thought it would be appropriate to say thanks for being an inspiration in our blog;
http://peelersurf.co.uk/freshlypeeled/2009/10/goodbye-dave/
Thanks, Andy – peeler
October 30th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
All the best – Loved everything Howies has provided me with (clothes and thoughts). I look forward to hearing about (and hopefully supporting) your next project!
Life is Sweet*
*Terms and conditions apply
B.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
It’s a shame that this happened but I know that all the good folk of howies will keep the edge straight. howies remains an inspiration to all those who care about more than just making a profit.
It may be painful but this new start will benefit many. I’m sure we’ll end up with another friendly company and all the good that will bring with it. Two of those is surely better than one.
I’m excited to see what a new burst of creative energy will bring.
Enjoy your freedom David.
PS. Let’s not forget that Steve Jobs created something even more amazing (NeXT) after he was forced to leave Apple. Then he returned with a vengeance…
October 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Good luck David.
Howies has been inspirational, I hope your child continues to grow with the values you’ve instilled it with.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Good Luck David and thanks.
I have always been a big fan of Howies up here in Scotland and I would have bought much more items from the catalogue over the years if only the Ts and shirts fitted my tubby build (c/o the scottish diet).
Best wishes
John, Glasgow
October 31st, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Good Luck David and thanks for your creation of a great company/product/team.
It’s always a pleasure to logon to website and get news from all the team – wish we’d had this in my days with Pringle of Scotland!!!!
Maybe one day we’ll be able to return to producing our own product for world markets – probably not in this ageing hippy’s time but I dream on!!
Best wishes for you & your family’s future,
Wattie
November 1st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
David,
Great shame to see it go this way.
Thanks for all you and Clare have done over the years – the products, the ethos, the catalogues, the inspiration…. and for Do, which has already changed the lives of so many of us.
Look forward to the next plan. Hope it stays in Wales, where we should be really proud of having companies like Howies.
If we can do anything…. We even have a spare shed at present.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
[...] post http://brainfood.howies.co.uk/2009/10/11295/ from David Hieatt of howies has had me in tears every time I read it. You see, I love howies, I [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
forgot to say,
David- you’ve gotta take a (long) holiday mate!(?)
November 9th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hi David,
I became sad when I read your post. Howies is such a great brand. Believe it or not, but there have been times when I went to your website e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y.
I hope that it makes you proud to hear that we often refered to Howies, when our American colleagues asked us what kind of sportswear they should do. ‘Make jumpers like Howies’!
I hated to see when you sold the brand to Timberland, but I guess you didn’t have a ton of options at the time.
And even though I hate to see you leaving now, I really admire your decision! A clear cut, not selling your soul, following your gut feeling – it must be hard, but from far away and without knowing you in person, I feel that it will be the right decision.
One last thing: I only read your posts. Your writing is, as other have said also, something very special. I hope you will do something with yout talent. And don’t wait until you are in your sixties, like Frank McCourt did!
You have all my admiration for what you and Clare have done! A lot of peopel (including myself) dream of doing something like this and will never succed. You have!
Cheers
Joern
November 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
hi david
just sat down with the new howies catalogue for the quarterly great read and spotted your name missing on the intro page. where have I been for the past few weeks?!
I can only add to the multitude of well-wishers, and let you know that howies & yourself have been an inspiration to my wife nicky & I for many years.
so much so, that we resigned our jobs 2 years ago and started our own brand, to add to the momentum out there of consumers & companies looking to make a real difference. the more the merrier we figured …
good luck & have fun dreaming up howies the sequel – it’ll be great.
thx a lot for all so far,
jorrit & nicky