Book excerpt: * Our summary is short, simple and pragmatic. It allows you to have the essential ideas of a big book in less than 30 minutes. By reading this summary, you will learn how the American clothing company Banana Republic was founded by Mel and Patricia Ziegler. You will also learn that : Mel Ziegler is from the East Coast; Patricia Ziegler comes from the West Coast; Patricia Ziegler lived in a hippie community; London is the hub of the military surplus trade; Banana Republic also sells by mail order, by catalog; Banana Republic's first sales took place at a California flea market. Mel and Patricia Ziegler are born company founders. They already have three companies to their credit, the oldest of which, Banana Republic, their first creation, no longer belongs to them today, and for a long time now. Indeed, the founding couple of this clothing firm first sold their company to a large clothing distribution chain, while continuing to run it. Later, they completely disengaged from their business, following disagreements with the buyer. All the more reason to know, at last, the true circumstances of the birth of Banana Republic. *Buy now the summary of this book for the modest price of a cup of coffee!