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Ll bean huntingboot
- 3. The Boot that Changed the World
- 7. The L.L. Bean Hunting Boot effected the world socially, economically, and even politically… sort of…
- 10. “ When all else fails, remember customer service; the customer is always right…” - A daily Motto from L.L. Bean
- 14. “ Deliver me from L.L. Bean…”
Editor's Notes
- It all started with a man and his fishing rod. In 1911, Lean Leonwood Bean, an avid hunter and fisherman, went on a fishing trip in Maine, noticed how much his feet got wet. Went home and made the best boots that were ever known to mankind. Genius by making them with flexible rubber soles and leather tops; the 1 st boot or shoe made with waterproof fabrics. Simply genius.
- They started off looking about like this, just a tad shorter. The first pair of boots were sold for $3.50. Bean began making the shoe for friends and selling them through the mail to holders of Maine hunting licenses. The Maine hunting shoe became the basis of a thriving mail order business, which eventually expanded to include outdoor clothing, camping gear, and hunting and fishing supplies. But before L.L. Bean’s genius idea became completely famous, the 1 st shipment of 100 boots had leaked. When the customers shipped them back, they received a full refund with repair by L.L. Ben himself. From there, he was one of the first few businessmen to become national known for their top quality customer service reputation.
- Here is an original letter from L.L. Bean himself to a customer whom he had failed with their first pair of boots. He says in the first sentence to the right, “ Outside of your gun, nothing is more important to your outfit as your footwear”. Am I right, ladies?
- Although an excellent, knowledgeable businessman, little did Mr. Bean know that his rapidly growing company would become, not only a giant billion dollar retailing company, but his shoe design would go on to inspire thousands of others in the fashion businesses.
- The L.L. Bean Hunting Boot would go on to effect the world socially and culturally, and economically in the world of fashion, even embraced politically…sort of… All though many presidents leisurely wore them including President Clinton & Bush 1 st & 2nd, they were known for a better role.
- The Maine Hunting Boot later known as names such as “the duck boot”, “the Bean boot”, or “THE Boot” became not just a needed accessory for outdoorsmen & women. When most businesses were struggling during WWII, L.L. Bean was doing well with the military using his very own boot design. From then on, the business was open 24/7. And L.L. never missed an opportunity to improve service. While the bulk of sales were generated by the catalog, hunters and visitors frequently dropped by Freeport. A night bell allowed the late-night visitor to call a watchman or even L.L. himself. In 1951, L.L. opened the store 365 days a year, 24 hours a day proclaiming, "We have thrown away the keys to the place." To this day, there are no locks on the doors of the flagship store in Freeport.
- L.L. Bean was known for having business quotes: In a 1927 catalog he wrote about the experiment of the boots themselves saying, "It is no longer necessary for you to experiment with dozens of flies to determine the few that will catch fish. We have done that experimenting for you."
- L.L. Bean’s grandson, Leon Gorman, took over in 1967 after L.L. Bean passed. In 2001, Leon stepped down and for the first time in the business, let a non family member , Christopher McCormick take over. The boot business has continued to thrive through the internet, interactive catalogs,
- Other companies tried to follow in Bean’s genius footsteps. Today’s competitors such as American Eagle, Eddie Bauer, Land’s End, and Bass Pro Shop have tried to fill Bean’s shoes. Have done well, but Bean still came out on top. L.L.Bean was announced a champion leaving some of big names like Apple, Lexus, Amazon, Starbucks, Dell, and others behind.
- Now forget all your fancy Uggs and Jimmy Choos and see who came first!
- Today, the L.L. Bean fashion is sometimes referred to in a joking way. In the movie Beetlejuice, character Otho sarcastically says, "Deliver me from L.L. Bean", when first looking upon the office in the Maitland's house. It was decorated in a fashion consistent with L.L. Bean's catalogs. The style is commonly referred to as “preppy” and suggested to the middle to upper middle class.
- Notice the style of some shoes today, such as those Timbalands, and ladies just look at those high heels!
- This boot is a resemblance of the original Bean boot that started it all.
- In 1967, Leon Leonwood Bean passed away at the age of 94. Because of his wet feet and a small idea, this man would go on to change the world socially, culturally, economically, and yes even politically with a pair of boots. Just one man and his fishing rod. Thank you =)