Outdoor Voices
The business, the turning points, and the decisions behind them.
01 / WHAT IT BUILT
What the company did
Outdoor Voices was an Austin direct-to-consumer athleisure brand founded by Ty Haney (record says 2013; most sources say 2014) with the tagline #DoingThings. Known for muted tones and color-blocked leggings, it cultivated a cult social-media following and hosted exercise classes and events. It raised over $100 million (backers included GV), hit a $110 million valuation in 2018, and expanded to 16 brick-and-mortar stores. Former Gap CEO Mickey Drexler chaired the board.
02 / Outdoor Voices FAILURE REASONS
Failure reasons
The brand ran into mounting losses, increased competition, too-rapid expansion and product missteps. In February 2020 Haney was forced out as CEO after clashing with Drexler; the valuation fell from $110 million to $40 million and, by March 2020, the company had 'imploded' per the New York Times. In March 2024 it closed all 16 stores to go online-only, laid off 80% of corporate staff, and former employees confirmed it was preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
03 / EVENT HISTORY
Events in the structured record
- Peak
Outdoor Voices hit a $110 million valuation, with Drexler as chairman and a devoted following comparing it to Lululemon.
- Founder forced out
Ty Haney stepped down as CEO amid mounting losses and clashes with Drexler; several executives departed, 15 layoffs followed, and the valuation fell to $40 million.
- Store closures and acquisition
In March 2024 Outdoor Voices closed all 16 stores to become online-only and laid off 80% of corporate staff; a bankruptcy filing was reportedly prepared. It was then acquired for an undisclosed sum by Consortium Brand Partners; founder Ty Haney returned for a 2025 relaunch.
04 / CONTEMPORARY REBUILD ASSESSMENT
Difficulty of rebuilding this project today
Material for this section is being gathered and checked. It will appear here once ready.
Overall assessment: Not completed
05 / CAUSAL CHAIN
How the factors connect
- 01
Outdoor Voices raised $100M+ and reached a $110M valuation in 2018.
- 02
Feb 2020: founder Ty Haney forced out as CEO; valuation fell to $40M; company 'imploded'.
- 03
Mar 2024: closed all 16 stores, went online-only, laid off 80% of corporate staff; Chapter 11 reportedly prepared.
- 04
Acquired by Consortium Brand Partners (undisclosed); 2025 relaunch with Haney.