A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter.
Covenant House Alaska.
Figure out what I’m going to eat because I’m always starving. [she laughs] Oh, I’m terrible.
The Seychelles.
A raccoon.
A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter.
What charity or cause are you passionate about?
Covenant House Alaska.
Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Figure out what I’m going to eat because I’m always starving. [she laughs] Oh, I’m terrible.
What vacation spot is on your bucket list?
The Seychelles.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be?
A raccoon.
Off the Cuff
hen Good Morning America highlighted small businesses in each state this summer, the TV show chose Linda Leary’s outdoor apparel brand Fishe Wear as Alaska’s entry. Leary makes her own media, too, so she’s recognized around Anchorage. She recalls, “Two ladies come up to me, and they’re like, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing, and thank you for representing women.’”
Leary started Fishe Wear in 2015 after struggling with clothes while flyfishing. She also runs the Women’s Flyfishing guide service. Leary grew up fishing in Maine, and she says the Kenai Peninsula reminds her of Vacationland: coastal yet rural, with down-to-earth people.
Her experience growing Carlile from a small trucking company into a branch of logistics conglomerate Saltchuk gave her confidence to strike out on her own. Now, Fishe Wear is growing, with a major retailer stocking the brand this fall.
Linda Leary: Once I did “Toss the Boss.” We scaled down the JL Tower in Midtown. It was a fundraiser for one of the nonprofits, and I had to put on a harness and scale down the 200-foot building… There were many guys doing it with me, and they were more scared than I was.
AB: What are you superstitious about?
Leary: If my husband books flights for us, I like to sit in even-numbered rows.
AB: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Leary: Being able to fly in a private jet… Not often; it’s only happened a couple of times.
AB: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
Leary: Ginger.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in concert?
Leary: Steve Wilson Jr.
AB: What’s your best attribute and worst attribute?
Leary: I’m a good networker. And probably not being able to say no—too many commitments—would be the worst.
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Leary: I’ve been working on a parka for forty years… so I picked it back up again, trying to get that project done.
