In 2006, Blake Mycoskie launched TOMS Shoes in Venice, California. Retailers embraced Mycoskie’s version of the alpargata and TOMS sold 10,000 pairs during the first year in business. As a result, he returned to Argentina in October of 2006 with family and friends and unveiled the second phase of his business plan: the Shoe Drop Tour. To meet demand, TOMS now offers Shoe Drop Tours throughout diverse regions of Argentina. These are volunteer opportunities where TOMS Shoes supporters hand-deliver shoes to children. Since our beginning, TOMS has provided over 600,000* shoes to children in need around the world.
The recipient of the People’s Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Smithsonian Institution, TOMS has expanded beyond the alpargata. New products include the innovative Wrap Boot for women, the Stitchout for men, t-shirts, hats and infant onesies.
TOMS has also made a commitment through the Clinton Global Initiative to give 100,000 pairs of shoes to children in Haiti. In our short 2-year history, one of TOMS’ greatest accomplishments is seeing other companies implement the One for One model.
Thanks to the emotional rewards of conscious capitalism, customers cease being consumers and become heroes. TOMS is built on the loyalty of customers who choose a better tomorrow with every purchase. TOMS has one of the coolest internship programs in the country, according to Inc. Magazine. Many of those passionate interns stay with TOMS and become hard-working, full-time employees. Every person working in our office and around the world with us spreading the One for One movement is an integral part of the TOMS family.
Through TOMS, Mycoskie shows that entrepreneurs no longer have to choose between earning money and making a difference in the world. Profitability is achievable with a giving-based business. TOMS proves that conscious capitalism is a viable business model for innovators worldwide, and entrepreneurs can focus on being ambassadors of humanity.
