Big high fives go out to REI today. I was so excited to read the announcement that the co-op will be closed on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Instead, they are encouraging their employees and their customers to spend the day outdoors, and I’m pretty sure camping in tents in line outside of a big box store doesn’t count. The whole idea supports the values and a culture I appreciate and look for in a company (and generally, in life).

As CEO, Jerry Stritzke said, “We’re a different kind of company—and while the rest of the world is fighting it out in the aisles, we’ll be spending our day a little differently. We’re choosing to opt outside, and want you to come with us.”

I love everything about this. Be the change… #optoutside