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In 2006, @BlakeMycoskie transformed his 1br apartment in Venice, California into a little shoe company with a big idea: using business to improve lives.
13 yrs later, @TOMS has donated over 95mm pairs of shoes through its innovative One-for-One model.
Time for a thread.
13 yrs later, @TOMS has donated over 95mm pairs of shoes through its innovative One-for-One model.
Time for a thread.
Humble beginnings.
After selling 10,000 pairs of shoes, @TOMS founder @BlakeMycoskie recruited some friends, some family, and hopped on a plane to Argentina.
There, they distributed 10,000 shoes—one for one—to kids in need wherever they could be found.
After selling 10,000 pairs of shoes, @TOMS founder @BlakeMycoskie recruited some friends, some family, and hopped on a plane to Argentina.
There, they distributed 10,000 shoes—one for one—to kids in need wherever they could be found.
Exponential growth.
In 2009, @TOMS built a team of international development, health, and nonprofit professionals, now known as the Giving Team.
Over 10 years, this team has developed relationships with over 200 non-governmental and humanitarian organizations in 80 countries.
In 2009, @TOMS built a team of international development, health, and nonprofit professionals, now known as the Giving Team.
Over 10 years, this team has developed relationships with over 200 non-governmental and humanitarian organizations in 80 countries.
More than shoes.
In 2011, they launched @TOMS Eyewear, partnering first with the @Seva_Foundation to expand the One-for-One model.
Through this partnership, TOMS provides medical treatment, sight-saving surgery, and prescription glasses to those in need.
In 2011, they launched @TOMS Eyewear, partnering first with the @Seva_Foundation to expand the One-for-One model.
Through this partnership, TOMS provides medical treatment, sight-saving surgery, and prescription glasses to those in need.
Drinking water, too.
In 2014, through a partnership with @waterforpeople, they launched @TOMS Roasting Co, which provides safe living conditions and economic prosperity to developing communities through sustainable water systems.
In 2014, through a partnership with @waterforpeople, they launched @TOMS Roasting Co, which provides safe living conditions and economic prosperity to developing communities through sustainable water systems.
Why shoes?
1. Basic protection:
More than 1.5 billion people have a soil-transmitted infection.
2. Access to education:
Dress codes often require shoes.
3. Sense of well-being:
@TOMS Giving Shoes increase a sense of well-being and self-worth.
1. Basic protection:
More than 1.5 billion people have a soil-transmitted infection.
2. Access to education:
Dress codes often require shoes.
3. Sense of well-being:
@TOMS Giving Shoes increase a sense of well-being and self-worth.
Refugee support:
At least 79.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes.
@TOMS distributed 3.7 million pairs of TOMS Giving Shoes in 17 countries to refugees.
At least 79.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes.
@TOMS distributed 3.7 million pairs of TOMS Giving Shoes in 17 countries to refugees.
Local manufacturing:
@TOMS is committed to manufacturing Giving Shoes in the same places they’re given, supporting economic development along with shoe-giving.
Today, at least 33% of TOMS Giving Shoes are manufactured in the same countries in which they’re given.
@TOMS is committed to manufacturing Giving Shoes in the same places they’re given, supporting economic development along with shoe-giving.
Today, at least 33% of TOMS Giving Shoes are manufactured in the same countries in which they’re given.
"It was a simple concept. Sell a pair of shoes today, give a pair of shoes tomorrow. Something about the idea felt so right, even though I had no experience, or even connections, in the shoe business."
@BlakeMycoskie, founder of @TOMS
@BlakeMycoskie, founder of @TOMS
For more about @TOMS and @BlakeMycoskie's journey, check out my latest essay about using business to improve lives.
Who should I profile next? https://jamierusso.me/articles/f/using-business-to-improve-lives
Who should I profile next? https://jamierusso.me/articles/f/using-business-to-improve-lives
