Living life on the wild side is the only way to fly, according to Mel and Patricia Ziegler, creators of Banana Republic.

Five years after they founded their firm, they sold it to The Gap, proving that going wild can be a direct path to making millions. But, as we learn from their story, whether it’s worth it depends on your goals, your passion, and what you are willing to trade for the cash.

All that becomes clear in Wild Company. The former journalist and illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle tell us how they turned their concept from idea to mega-megacorp.

How can you do the same? We sat down with Mel and Patricia on Fisherman’s Wharf to get the inside scoop. Scroll down to read our interview, and click here to listen to our podcast on the Inkandescent Radio Network.

Meeting with the Zieglers in San Francisco was just the beginning of our own adventure last month when the Inkandescent team traveled to the City by the Bay. In addition to having the privilege of being invited to cover the Conscious Capitalism Conference 2013 for Inkandescent Radio we did dozens of interviews with West Coast entrepreneurs, including:

• Tara Sheahan is the director of Conscious Capitalism’s Global Leadership Initiative. She’s also married to Patagonia’s president, Casey Sheahan, and together they explain why conscious leadership is “an inside job.” Don’t miss our interview with this Truly Amazing Woman.

• Soles 4 Souls is another exciting organization that is putting shoes on the world’s needy. Buddy Teaster is the CEO and foot soldier making a big difference for this Nonprofit.

• Is blue the next green? Michael Davis, founder of US Pure Water, explains in our May Food column.

• Food is the focus at Castagnola’s Seafood & Chophouse on Fisherman’s Wharf. We were delighted to interview owner Kathy Higdon for our column, Restauranteur of the Month.

We leave you with this parting thought from the introduction to the Zieglers’ book: In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few. — Shunryu Suzuki

Here’s to keeping an open mind, and tapping into your wild side. — Hope Katz Gibbs, Publisher, Be Inkandescent magazine