TOMS Founder and Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie paid a visit to our local university, Southeast Missouri State recently and we had the opportunity to go hear him speak. Glik’s Training Manager, Chad Walton, and several Glik’s Associates attended the event and were inspired by Blake’s passion for giving through TOMS One for One campaign.
We invited Chad to do a guest post and recap the event to share with you all…
Going to see Blake Mycoskie speak at Southeast Missouri State University was a great experience I wish every single Glik’s associate could have witnessed. Blake talked about TOMS humble beginnings that happened unintentionally. While traveling in Argentina in 2006, Mycoskie witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. His solution to the problem was simple, yet revolutionary: to create a for-profit business that was sustainable and not reliant on donations. Mycoskie’s vision soon turned into the simple business idea that provided the powerful foundation for TOMS.
Before TOMS, Mycoskie, a native of Texas who always had an entrepreneurial spirit, started five businesses. His first was a successful campus laundry service, which he later sold. Between business ventures, Mycoskie competed in the CBS primetime series, The Amazing Race. With his sister, Paige Mycoskie traveling the world and came within minutes of winning the $1 million dollar grand prize.
As Blake told us his story and the passion he had for business, I looked at the girls who attended the event with me and asked who is Blake reminding you of? All of the girls immediately said “Jeff Glik”! As Blake spoke about how not only is it such an extraordinary experience owning a company that provides footwear and vision to the under privileged; he also knows at the end of the day Toms is still a growing business and he made sure to know that his product needs to evolve. I thought his entire presentation was so inspiring for any aspect of business because no matter what you are venturing to do in life you have to be able to take the good and bad and grow from it. A small idea that starts in your journal could someday change your and others lives.
(Photo courtesy of Southeast Missouri State University)
(Photo courtesy of Southeast Missouri State University Facebook Page)
Toms again showed me that hard work pays off and it was a great boost of confidence for me to push every single associate at Glik’s to strive for sales and have great work ethic!