In an age of corporate bailouts, the story of Columbia Sportswear’s dramatic comeback offers a valuable case study in successful bootstrapping. After the death of her husband, Gert Boyle faced the monumental task of taking over the struggling business at the age of 46, with little guidance or experience. This program profiles Boyle nearly forty years later, still leading the company—which is now an industry giant worth billions. Boyle describes what solidified her determination to keep Columbia (refusing a competitor’s buyout offer of $1,400) and outlines strategic maneuvers that enabled her to rebuild the company: fine-tuned product innovation, a focus on upselling, employee teambuilding initiatives, and more. (24 minutes)