This is a Social Entrepreneur…Blake Mycoskie
“A better tomorrow is where one thrives.”
One social entrepreneur that stands out and comes to my mind is Blake Mycoskie and his for-profit company TOMS, which stands for Tomorrow’s Shoes. From being a business venturer to using an idea and launching into a global movement, changing millions of lives.
Founder
Blake Mycoskie is the founder and creator of Toms Shoes. Blake Mycoskie is a Texas native. Before the launch of Toms he started five businesses. Mycoskie even competed on the CBS primtime series, The Amazing Race with his sister. He is an avid traveler and his passion is insipiring young people, to make tomorrow better.
After traveling through Argentina, Mycoskie saw the hardships faced by young children living without shoes. This trip sparked an idea in his mind to launch a business with a One for One model.
One for One Model
Since 2006, 95 million shoes have been given to people in need. Mycoskie’s vision of providing shoes to children in need in rural regions has truly come to life. Everytime someone buys a pair of TOMS shoes, a pair of shoes is given to a person in need.
Expansion of Model
Not only has TOMS donated millions upon millions of shoes, but TOMS has given 780,000 sight restorations and 722,000 weeks of safe water.
After I watched this video from TOMS, it clearly showed how much of an impact the company makes on the world. TOMS is not only just a one for one model, but now it donates $1 dollar for every $3 made.
Organization Partners
TOMS focuses on partnering with organizations that bring physical and mental health as well as equality of opportunity. These are Think Outside Da Block, The Mix, and Magic Bus. For example, Magic Bus helps people complete education and build skills to move out of poverty. TOMS also supports UNICEF, The Red Cross,March for Our Lives, and many more organizations.
Social Entrepreneurship Fund & TOMS Today
In 2015, Mycoskie decided to create a Social Entrepreneurship Fund. Mycoskie invests in innovative companies that exist to create change.Today, 15 companies are funded by Mycoskie, which range from technology, education, to food equality.
TOMS has established a Global Giving Fund which has provided $2 million dollars in support of global relief efforts. In the coming months, TOMS will be distrubting funds to partners that remain on the frontline, delivering supplies, etc.
TOMS has created a current impact report which includes highlights from the past 13 year of giving since the company started. Here is the link: https://www.toms.com/us/impact-report.htm
I am truly inspired by Blake Mycoskie’s story and his creation of TOMS. The impact he has made is remarkable. His passion and ambition drove him to create a company that gives back to millions of peoples lives around the world. Think about what you could do with just one simple idea and what a difference it could make.
