Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and best-selling author most known for founding TOMS Shoes and is the person behind the idea of One for One®, a business model that helps a person in need with every product purchased. A simple idea grew into a global movement: 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.

Since its inception, TOMS Shoes has provided almost 96 million pairs of shoes to children around the globe. He developed the idea for TOMS Eyewear in which for every pair of eyewear purchased, TOMS would help give sight to a person in need. One for One®. In 2014, after selling half of the company to Bain Capital, Mycoskie stepped down as CEO of TOMS. Utilizing half of his proceeds, he started the Social Entrepreneurship Fund to help early startups with core social missions get off the ground with much-needed funding. Since then, he has invested in over 25 social enterprises.

In the fall of 2011, Mycoskie released his first book, "Start Something That Matters," offering his own amazing story of inspiration, and the power of incorporating giving in business. He references other companies and individuals who have been motivated and inspired to integrate philanthropy into their profession as well as their personal lives. The book became a New York Times best-seller. In spring of 2020, Mycoskie co-founded Madefor alongside former Navy SEAL Pat Dossett. Madefor is a ten-month program that harnesses the proven power of neuroscience to elevate your mental and physical wellbeing and productivity.