TOMS SHOES // One for One

  

Brand: TOMS Shoes
Founder: Blake Mycoskie
Concept: For every pair of shoes sold, a pair of shoes will be donated to an impoverished child.
Design: The shoe's design was inspired by the Argentine alpargatas.

If you haven't heard of TOMS Shoes you're in for a treat! Blake Mycoskie, founder and CEO,
also known as the Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS was vacationing in Argentina in 2006 when a burst of inspiration
led him to create one of the fastest growing shoe brands in the market today.

Mycoskie noticed that there were too many children walking around with no shoes and getting cuts
and infections on their feet. Motivated to create a business model that valued giving,
TOMS idea was simple: for every pair of shoes sold, he would give a pair to a child in need.

This idea (and his tagline) One for One is now considered a global movement and has been
used by many brands around the world.

In a 2010 interview with Fast Company Mycoskie said that he always knew he wanted to 

incorporate giving in his business. "My big idea with TOMS was creating a sustainable
way of giving, blending business and philanthropy."

 

As of today, TOMS has given away over 10 million pairs of shoes to 59 countries!

TOMS now also sells sunglasses and practices the same One for One principle.
According to Fast Company it has matched more than 150,000 pairs in the past two
years--and in turn has helped deliver eye care to more than 150,000 people. 

Blake Mycoskie also published a #1 New York Times Bestseller book called,  

Start Something That Matters where he inspires and invites entrepreneurs to do just that.

Not bad from a burst of inspiration, right?

If there's an inspiring brand that you think we should feature, please leave a comment
below or email me directly at karla@kimarketingintl.com.

 

www.kimarketingintl.com


photo credits: toms // photo by justin fantl (shoes) - fastcompany // treehugger