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The incredible story of the man behind TOMS Shoes and One for One, the revolutionary business model that marries fun, profit, and social good
“A creative and open-hearted business model for our times.”—The Wall Street Journal
Why this book is for you:
• You’re ready to make a difference in the world—through your own start-up business, a nonprofit organization, or a new project that you create within your current job.
• You want to love your work, work for what you love, and have a positive impact on the world—all at the same time.
• You’re inspired by charity: water, method, and FEED Projects and want to learn how these organizations got their start.
• You’re curious about how someone who never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail created one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world by giving shoes away.
• You’re looking for a new model of success to share with your children, students, co-workers, and members of your community.
You’re ready to start something that matters.
With every book you purchase, a new book will be provided to a child in need. One for One.™
Chapter 1
one
the TOMS story
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-MAHATMA GANDHI
In 2006 I took some time off from work to travel to Argentina. I was twenty-nine years old and running my fourth entrepreneurial start-up: an online driver-education program for teens that used only hybrid vehicles and wove environmental education into our curriculum-earth- friendly innovations that set us apart from the competition.
We were at a crucial moment in the business's development-revenue was growing, and so were the demands on our small staff-but I had promised myself a vacation and wasn't going to back out. For years I've believed that it's critical for my soul to take a vacation, no matter how busy I am. Argentina was one of the countries my sister, Paige, and I had sprinted through in 2002 while we were competing on the CBS reality program The Amazing Race. (As fate would have it, after thirty-one days of racing around the world, we lost the million- dollar prize by just four minutes; it's still one of the greatest disappointments of my life.)
When I returned to Argentina, my main mission was to lose myself in its culture. I spent my days learning the national dance (the tango), playing the national sport (polo), and, of course, drinking the national wine (Malbec).
I also got used to wearing the national shoe: the alpargata, a soft, casual canvas shoe worn by almost everyone in the country, from polo players to farmers to students. I saw this incredibly versatile shoe everywhere: in the cities, on the farms, in the nightclubs. An idea began to form in the back of my mind: Maybe the alpargata would have some market appeal in the United States. But as with many half-formed ideas that came to me, I tabled it for the moment. My time in Argentina was supposed to be about fun, not work.
Toward the end of my trip, I met an American woman in a café who was volunteering with a small group of people on a shoe drive-a new concept to me. She explained that many kids lacked shoes, even in relatively well-developed countries like Argentina, an absence that didn't just complicate every aspect of their lives but also exposed them to a wide range of diseases. Her organization collected shoes from donors and gave them to kids in need-but ironically the donations that supplied the organization were also its Achilles' heel. Their complete dependence on donations meant that they had little control over their supply of shoes. And even when donations did come in sufficient quantities, they were often not in the correct sizes, which meant that many of the children were still left barefoot after the shoe drop-offs. It was heartbreaking.
I spent a few days traveling from village to village, and a few more traveling on my own, witnessing the intense pockets of poverty just outside the bustling capital. It dramatically heightened my awareness. Yes, I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that poor children around the world often went barefoot, but now, for the first time, I saw the real effects of being shoeless: the blisters, the sores, the infections-all the result of the children not being able to protect their young feet from the ground.
I wanted to do something about it. But what?
My first thought was to start my own shoe-based charity, but instead of soliciting shoe donations, I would ask friends and family to donate money to buy the right type of shoes for these children on a regular basis. But, of course, this arrangement would last only as long as I could...
Author Note xi
1 The Toms Story 3
2 Find Your Story 21
3 Face Your Fears 45
4 Be Resourceful Without Resources 69
5 Keep it Simple 97
6 Build Trust 123
7 Giving is Good Business 153
8 The Find Step 175
Acknowledgments 187
A Reader's Guide 191
There is something different in the air these days: I feel it when I talk to business leaders, give speeches at high school and college campuses, and engage in conversation at coffee shops. People are hungry for success - that's nothing new. What's changed is the definition of that success. Increasingly, the quest for success is not the same as the quest for status and money. The definition has broadened to include contributing something to the world, and living and working on one's own terms.
When I started TOMS, people thought I was crazy. In particular, long-time veterans of the footwear industry surmised that the model was unsustainable or at least untested - that combining a for-profit company with a social mission would complicate and undermine both. What we've found is that TOMS has succeeded precisely because we have created a new model. The giving component of TOMS makes our shoes more than a product. They're part of a story, a tribe, and a movement anyone can join.
TOMS is just one example of a new breed of companies that are succeeding at a volatile time in capitalism's history. The growth of TOMS would never have been possible during my parents' generation, or even when I was first getting started in business in the not-so-distant past. In this fast-paced and constantly changing world, it's easier than ever to seize the day, but in order to do so, you must play by a new set of rules. Increasingly, the tried-and-true tenets of success are just tried, not true.
Start Something That Matters combines the story of TOMS with that of charity: water, FEED Projects, method, Zappos and many other incredible organizations. This book will teach you that having a story may be the most important part of your new venture; that fear can be usefuL; that having vast resources is not as critical as you might think; that simplicity is a core goal for successful enterprises; that trust is an invaluable leadership style; and, finally, that giving may be the best investment you'll ever make.
If this sounds like the way you want to do business and live your life, this book will get you started...
Carpe Diem,
Blake
LWFIGI
Posted April 10, 2012
I Also Recommend:
If you are looking for inspiration to start a new life and create something to make money at but doing something that fulfills you, this is the way to go. Whether you are interested in starting a business or not, this is an interesting “making changes” in your life idea book. I am always ready to read something that could possibly enlighten me somehow to make changes in my life for the better. Out of the box thinking is always interesting and inspiring to me and food for thought. Great advice and inventive ideas fill the pages and will provide the reader with new incentive to fulfill their spirit.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WanderingPixels
Posted December 29, 2011
I have not reviewed a great number of books, but this one moved me. Blake Mycoskie has produced quite a following with TOMS and this book lays out how that came to be. It is written in a first person, straight forward manner that remains captivating throughout the book. He uses personal insight and first hand experience to explain how I as a regular person, can start something that matters. Obvously the goal is not to have a lot of TOMS look alike companies, but more appropriately, he explains the motivation and ability to successfully combine a for-profit company with a worthwhile cause. The adaptable nature of this basic idea allows his experience to transform ordiary companies to extraordinary businesses that can literally change lives. Even if you are not looking to start your own business or change the way you do business, this book is worthwhile reading for the insight alone.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 20, 2012
I Also Recommend:
I really found this book a great insightful read. There is great advice, and some very good ideas that are worth to remember.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Copygirl
Posted December 22, 2011
If you've ever had a dream of how you can change the world or start a business or pursue your passion, Start Something That Matters will make you believe you can do it. Blake's easy-to-read book includes not just the story of TOMS but of other dreamers who have made an impact to illustrate his seven key principals. I got my book free as a blogger, but it's one I would be willing to pay for.
And for every book sold, a children's book will be donated to kids who need books. It's a win-win.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2011
Blake wrote this book to open people's brains to the concept of starting a business that makes money, and a difference, at the same time. The TOMS story is fantastic, and he explains other similar businesses and what they are achieving around the globe. A must read for entrepreneurs and anyone considering a start-up. Spread the word--there are good things happening out there!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 15, 2011
Awesome read. One of those reads that finds you exactly when you need it to.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.9856603
Posted September 8, 2011
This book was amazing im not done yet but i cant put it down! A must readbfor all ages that will understand the struggles of being an entrepreneur!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 7, 2012
Brilliantly written and certainly makes the point that things that matter can be done!! Very enjoyable and inspiring!!!
William
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 7, 2012
I love this book and toms!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Blake Mycoskie started TOMS shoe company after visiting Argentina and learning that many children there didn't own shoes, leading to infections and diseases from dirt-born parasites. The business donates one pair of shoes for every pair sold. This quick read describes the challenges and joys of getting the business going, along with how it became so successful; however, the majority of the book focuses on how we as humans can become our own destiny. The chapter titles say it all, among them: " Find Your Story, Face Your Fears, Build Trust, and Giving is Good Business." The chapters are simplistic but contain information which is so true. Decide what it is you really want, have the courage to go for it, and remember the people who helped you along the way. In other words, give back as much as you are able.
This is truly an inspiring book which I am happy to highly recommend. Am sending a copy to my son in college this week!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2012
Very motivating and inspirational! Filled with tons of information and great resources!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Charmaine_Hammond
Posted December 21, 2011
I just finished reading Blake¿s' book Start Something that Matters, and I was so engrossed in the content, I could not put it down. From cover to cover, this book is full of inspiration, business building strategies and examples of how one idea can change a life! From a corporate perspective I thoroughly appreciated Blake¿s description on the qualities that are essential in a team and leadership: trust, autonomy, engagement, creating champions and partnerships, and the foundation of corporate giving (in more ways than just money). From the community service perspective, I valued Blake¿s examples of the many ways in which an idea can help millions, and how giving creates a cycle of reciprocity. Blake stressed the importance of having a story and sharing your story, this is critical for any project, and business. His tips on creating, sharing and living your story will make a difference in how I approach my next big project. A book that will definitely make a difference in our world! Charmaine Hammond, Author, On Toby¿s Terms
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 2, 2011
Before reading this book, i never gave any thought to charity or charitable organizations. I started my businesses with only one thing in mind, MONEY! Now i realize that although making money is great, it is not the only way to measure success. Giving and sharing feels just as good now as making money. I can now do both and feel better about my purpose in life. Starting a business is better when you know its for a purpose and when you know you can help change someones life for the better. Toms shoes is a biz with a purpose.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WOW!!! I loved this book. The way the information was presented made me want to keep reading. I loved the stories of other businesses that are charity based and how they started and are now thriving. The need in the world is huge and it may seem impossible to do anything, but this book gives you small doable solutions to help out others.
Have you ever thought that you are only one person and cannot do anything to help.well read this book and you will know that there are tons of things you can do every day to help someone somewhere. I read this book in one setting and I couldn't put it down. The personal stories and the stories of others brought the book to life. Why not have a business that is for-profit and for helping those in need. If we don't have enough then how can we help anyone?
This is a book that everyone out there should read and think about. What can you do? Anything is something to someone out there in need. I will be making this book and a pair of TOMS part of my Christmas giving this year. Get this book and start something that matters.no matter how small someone will be eternally grateful for what you do. READ THIS BOOK TODAY! The publisher is giving one book to a child in need for every book purchased.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2013
I HAVE TOMS I WORE THEM TODAY!!!!!! I AM ONLY 9 BUT I MADE A DIFFERENCE!!!!! I LOVE TOMS!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Jen_12381
Posted February 4, 2013
As a photographer who is looking to take her craft full-time but also give back, this book was just what I needed to read. Blake not only shares what he has learned through the journey of building the TOMS brand and company but also what others who have similar business models have learned to help others who want to build businesses that are not only for profit but also help others. Great tool! I will definitely be reading it again :)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 27, 2012
This book is amazing and its an eye opener.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 28, 2012
I like the idea of starting something that makes a difference in the lives of others. While the story is nice I was actually hoping to learn more about 'the how to' of starting a business that would benefit others. As an eBook purchase there isn't really a way to 'scan' the book to see if the desired information is available within the book.
I do applaud Blake for his committment to follow through on his dream and to be persistent to reach his goal.
Sherryhl
Posted June 20, 2012
very interesting! can't stop reading it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 10, 2012
Read this for a summer reading project for high school and actually liked it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
The incredible story of the man behind TOMS Shoes and One for One, the revolutionary business model that marries fun, profit, and social good
“A creative and open-hearted business model for our times.”—The Wall Street Journal
Why this book is for you:
...