Blake Mycoskie Research Paper

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“Anyone can make a difference, so you don't have to have it be some huge, global campaign... you can start small, and that's just as important.” With these words, Blake Mycoskie has inspired people across the globe to combat issues faced in the world today. Blake Mycoskie was born August 26, 1976 in Arlington, Texas. Mycoskie attended Southern Methodist University, and it was there he learned the business skills that he would later use to found TOMS; a “for-profit” shoe company. Mycoskie dabbled in many business adventures, beginning with laundry services during college and moving towards advertising and marketing afterwards. Mycoskie even participated in the second season of the television show The Amazing Race. It was not until he founded …show more content…

He exemplifies the quality of innovation. After traveling to Argentina during 2006, Mycoskie created TOMS, a company originally focused on shoes. Mycoskie explains, “I wasn’t trying to get into the shoe business when I went to Argentina. I was actually just on a vacation” (“Blake Mycoskie - The Global Leadership Summit, 2010”). His trip may have begun as a vacation; however, it sparked one of the most successful business models to date. While in Argentina, Mycoskie discovered the hardships many people, particularly children, faced when they did not have adequate shoes. So he created the “one-for-one” model: for each pair of TOMS shoes sold, a pair of shoes is provided to a child in need. Mycoskie explains, “TOMS started as a spontaneous response from me to want to give these children shoes. And giving feels amazing” (Blake Mycoskie - The Global Leadership Summit, 2010). Since TOMS creation in 2006, the company has sold and consequently provided over 35 million pairs of …show more content…

Afterall, TOMS has become a multi-million dollar company. Forbes magazine reports, “Mycoskie has built a casual shoe empire now valued at $625 million, per a Reuters report.” Furthermore, Mycoskie, himself, currently holds about fifty percent of the company he started. The company may be founded on the value of charity; however, it still remains a “for profit” company. Mycoskie explains the rationale for this choice, explaining, “many causes make sense for nonprofits...But as a for-profit, I can make smart bets on marketing and talent that will allow us to do a lot of good over time, because I am not scrutinized about how I spend money in the same way that nonprofits are. There is a need for both” (“What Toms's Blake Mycoskie Has Learned About Disruption”). Mycoskie does not claim for TOMS to be a non-profit or charity foundation; it is simply a business model that is based on charitable values. On his LinkedIn account, Mycoskie explains his role, stating, “I have opted for the title of Chief Shoe Giver, rather than the traditional title of CEO, because giving is at the heart of the TOMS business model.” While TOMS is not a charity, providing for others in need remains its primary

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