Leon really loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt but he was tired of coming home with wet cold feet. I know exactly how he feels, especially this time of year. However, unlike me, Leon decided he needed to do something about his cold feet. Most great products come from somebody identifying a need and then meeting that need. Whether Leon intended to create a new business or product, I do not know but Leon managed to create his boot.

Leon made the foot of the boot out of rubber and the upper part of Leather. The rubber kept the boot dry while walking through snow and water, while the upper part helped keep the boot warm and comfortable to wear. Leon was very proud of his boot. He made enough to sell to 100 people and so he sold 100 pairs of boots but then trouble arrived.

People started coming back to Leon because the boot was falling apart. The upper part was pulling away from the lower part of the boot. Now Leon could have told them, "Sorry but without a receipt I can not take that boot back" or "I am sorry but there is going to be a 15% restocking fee" no that is not what Leon said. He took the defective boots all 98 of them and returned everybody's money and then set about to make a better boot. He worked hard and finally reworked the stitching and voila, Leon sold his new boot.

His boots were just the start to his new business he eventually Leon turned his business into a leading outdoor retail and catalog company. Today he has a number of Outlet Stores that stretch as far tokyo but his catalogs are by far are his biggest source of revenue. The company today makes $1.47 billion a year. It all started with the need to create better foot wear and impeccable customer service today if you walk into Leon's store and are dissatisfied with the product you can return for a full refund. So who is Leon? Perhaps you would know him better as Leon Leonwood Bean or L.L. Bean.