A Student’s Guide to Making a Difference in the World
With the the rise of social media, a new generation of socially conscious students -- tuned-in, tech savvy, and ready to engage the world -- has emerged on college campuses. And they’re flocking to a new breed of businesses and social movements.
With its unique One for One promise, the message of TOMS Shoes has swept campuses across the country. In this spirited talk, Blake Mycoskie related his transformation from “typical business guy,” motivated by just money and success, to the founder of a company that advocates “doing good by doing well.”
Mycoskie shows that it is possible to go your own way, to achieve success without sacrificing your dreams, and to make a difference in the world -- all at the same time. Mycoskie explored the elements that contributed to the success of TOMS Shoes, presenting a model of sustainable business practice, while also inspiring students to go out and create their own, based on their lives and passions.
About Blake Mycoskie
TOMS’ simple promise to give a pair of new shoes to children in need around the world with every pair sold is revolutionizing the way consumers shop. By the end of 2009, TOMS had given away 440,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need all around the world, including the U.S.
Former President Clinton called Blake “one of the most interesting entrepreneurs [I’ve] ever met.” People magazine featured Blake in its “Heroes Among Us” section, and in the Bill Gates Time magazine article “How to Fix Capitalism,” TOMS Shoes was highlighted.
Blake is an entrepreneur and has created five businesses since college. His first was a successful national campus laundry service; his second start-up, Mycoskie Media, caught the attention of Clear Channel Media and was bought by them. Between business ventures, Blake competed in the CBS’ primetime series, The Amazing Race. With his sister, Paige, Blake traveled the world and came within minutes of winning the $1 million dollar grand prize.
After The Amazing Race, Blake attempted to create the first TV cable channel dedicated entirely to reality programming. His fourth start-up was an online driver’s education school that featured hybrid cars and SUVs. After returning from a holiday in Argentina, Blake decided to sell this business to focus full-time on his latest idea, the creation of TOMS Shoes.
Blake is an avid reader and traveler. He is 34-years-old and lives on a sail boat in Los Angeles.
