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Davis Smith

Founder & CEO at Cotopaxi

Davis Smith is the founder and former CEO of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, known for its commitment to social impact and sustainability. He established Cotopaxi in 2014, with a mission to blend profitability with altruism by donating at least 1% of annual revenue to nonprofits that aid impoverished communities.13 Under his leadership, the company grew significantly, achieving over $100 million in revenue by 2022 and expanding its workforce to around 295 employees.13

Early Life and Education

Smith's upbringing was influenced by his family's international experiences due to his father's construction work. This exposure instilled in him a strong sense of fairness and a desire to help others. He graduated from Brigham Young University and later earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.12

Career Highlights

Before founding Cotopaxi, Smith launched several businesses, including a baby products company in Brazil that won "Startup of the Year" in 2012. He has also held various leadership roles, such as being a member of the United Nations Foundation's Global Leadership Council and a Presidential Leadership Scholar.25

In April 2023, Smith announced that he would step down as CEO to embark on a three-year religious mission in Recife, Brazil, where he would serve as Mission President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He transitioned to the role of Chairman at Cotopaxi during this period.135

Vision and Impact

Smith's vision for Cotopaxi was inspired by his experiences living next to a favela in Brazil, where he witnessed stark inequalities. His goal was to create a business that could sustainably combat poverty while providing high-quality outdoor gear. The company has been recognized as a Certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.134

As he steps into this new chapter of his life, Smith remains committed to making a difference and continues to inspire others through his work at Cotopaxi and beyond.13

Highlights

Jul 26 · linkedin

In my last few years as CEO of Cotopaxi, I started sending a short video message to one employee every day letting them know how grateful I was for them. It became a highlight of my time as CEO.

Currently, as a Mission President for my church in Recife, Brazil, I oversee the work of about 500 missionaries over my three years of service. When the nervous 18 and 19 year-old missionaries arrive in Recife to start their 18-24 month missions, my wife and I have them over to our home. I show them a note I’ve created for each one of them on my phone. It includes their name, picture, and notes about them (interests, family details, health, future goals, etc. that I retrieve from their missionary application). Over the next two years I will update that file with notes from our one-to-one interviews and their weekly letters to me. These notes are my way of showing them that I love them and that I care about their growth and success.

I believe in the power of leading, one by one (like the Good Shepherd). If I could go back to my CEO days, I would have invested even more time in showing individuals how much I cared about them.

Jun 16 · linkedin

Dads are amazing. When I was nineteen, I moved to Bolivia for two years to serve as a missionary. My dad, unbeknownst to me, started working nights doing construction projects, framing, hanging sheetrock, and roofing. He was a volunteer bishop at the time, on top of his full-time job, but he started saving up money to surprise me with a small car when I got home. It brings me to tears thinking that every day I was walking down dusty streets of Bolivia my dad was pounding nails into the night for me. For years, every day I drove that car I was filled with love and gratitude for my dad. Ole M. Smith

Dads are amazing. When I was nineteen, I moved to Bolivia for two years to serve as a missionary. My

Related Questions

What inspired Davis Smith to start Cotopaxi?
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Davis Smith
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Location

Salt Lake City, Utah