Vermont Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 18

makes clothing for people who enjoy the outdoors in a more casual manner. It is an outdoors lifestyle brand, offering not just products or sports education, but also destination experiences. In addition to the previously mentioned United Kingdom, ORVIS’ biggest markets are the Northeast, California, Texas, Florida and the Southeast, in general. One thing hasn’t changed over the years: Listening to customers remains Priority #1. Simon continues, “My grandfather said, ‘A good salesman is a good listener’. And he’s always told me, ‘you learn a lot more by listening than by talking’ - and I’ve watched him do it. I’ve watched the relationships he’s built, and the expertise he’s built, and the experiences he’s had, and it’s come from this passion for listening. I think about that a lot, and how that’s shaped me, and how that’s guided me in some extremely valuable ways.” ORVIS’ employees truly “live the brand” 20 VERMONT magazine