Reflecting on the Millionth Pair
Friends,
By now, you've probably heard that TOMS gave our 1,000,000th pair of shoes on a historic trip back to Argentina. Several weeks have passed since this Shoe Drop, and yet, I still find myself not only in a state of absolute joy and gratefulness, but also in disbelief. When I had the idea for TOMS 4 1/2 years ago, my goal was simply to help the 250 kids that I met while traveling on vacation. That simple One for One model that I founded TOMS on was nothing more than an idea, a project, a what if? I didn't know anything about shoes, or fashion or philanthropic giving. All I had was a feeling that this is something I must do.
But that simple idea attracted some curious customers, great retail partners, and some very very talented people who all together have helped me transform my idea into not only a company, but a movement, and because of that, one million pairs of shoes have been given and a new way of thinking about business has emerged. And through it all, I have been blessed with a new family, my TOMS family, that I now get to share so much love and joy with.
The trip has inspired me in new and unexpected ways. Every night we sat around the campfire and shared not only our thoughts from the day, but also from the past four years. Hearing how this journey has affected everyone from my first intern and employee, Jonathan, to our AT&T and Gowalla contest winners made me realize that TOMS is about much more than placing shoes on kids' feet. TOMS is about a mindset, a gateway into a new type of thinking, and as my friends from AT&T say, it's the opportunity to "rethink possible" - which is what I hope my words and observations will inspire you to do. So, starting today, I am going to re-commit myself to sharing this amazing journey we're on through this blog. I hope that you will join me.... and share your comments, questions and love.
CauseBound
Please ask Blake to check out this wed site www.causebound.com
This company was inspired by one of your interns my son Jared Allen. I think Blake will be impressed and would like to know that some interns do take something with them when they leave a feeling of wanting to give back. www.causebound.com
Thank You Cheri Allen
kudos
Hi Blake,
I just saw your mention in FD Luxe Magazine in Dallas.
Tom's is only 4 years old? Mister Mycoskie originates from the area?
1 million shoes given away already?!
News to me!
Congrats on your all around awesome company and attitude.
Inspiration in action.
kudos...you're killing it.
-stephanie
Encouraged
Hey Blake!
I first heard of TOMS a few weeks ago at The Global Leadership Summit. I wasn't even meant to go, but my Pastor asked me to go on the second day and I'm sure glad I did! They played your interview and I was really encouraged and inspired by your work.
I love working with kids too and am working towards becoming a paediatrician and the goal is to set up my own medical centres/orphanages around the world, God willing =)
What really touched me was that you at TOMS are truly passionate about helping & giving freely. No cost-benefit analysis, no strings attached. And I like that you are so transparent about everything you guys are doing.
Thank-you for starting this movement and may GOD bless you for the many successful years to come!
Love from Australia,
Eunize
.
Ps: Do you do shoe drops in the Philippines or Peru?
Hi there!
Hi Blake and TOMS family,
Congrats on your continued full support to our shoe-less fortunate mostly children around the globe and One for One program is a success in supporting this.
I worked for a shoe trading company based here in China and always on the look out on your website hence, have learned that you've got lots of factories here.
Btw, love your shoes. Fit perfectly with my family as well.
Good job and more power!
Sam - Philippines
An Unlikely Pair
Blake, this may be the millionth time you've heard this, but you're an inspiration! I've just recently tapped into TOMS, anxiously awaiting my first pair- the Sudan Water edition- in the mail! What you have done, and continue to do on a personal, local and global level is incredible. Wanted to reach out and say kudos.
I work with an NGO that is "rethinking possibility"- teaching yoga throughout the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The NGO is Africa Yoga Project, and we are, like you, amazingly grateful for our growth and expansive outreach in the past 3 years since inception! I know it may seem like an "unlikely pair"- shoes and yoga, but our foundations are the same, our end goal - creating possibility. If there's any vision you can see of us partnering up in some way (we've plenty of students who walk to yoga...) let me know!
Cheers.
Toms shoes is always in my
Toms shoes is always in my prayers! May God continue to bless your ministry!!! I know you don’t call it that…you call it movement, business, etc…but I believe it’s a ministry that God is using to serve others to make a difference in this world! Psalm 20:4 “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose!”
Inspiration and Action
I just came from the Global Leadership Summit, here in Guatemala. I haven't heard about Toms Shoes before, but I find this idea completely inspirational. I'm (and live in) from Guatemala, and I know for sure how our children are in such in bad need of shoes (and a lot more). So I came with the idea of going to private schools and universities, (previus recruiting of some youngsters) and let them know about One day without shoes, and about buying Toms. But let me ask you Where do we get Toms Shoes in Guatemala? (our nearest source is Costa Rica or Mexico) And do you have some advertisement material thah I coul use.- And How do I contact Guatemala Sana? I´ll do my own research.but if you have some ideas....Welcome!. I'll be in touch.
*PLEASE READ* ILT (I LOVE TOMS)
hi my name is keirsten. i live in montgomery alabama and i just got my first pair of TOMS!!! i love them! at first i didnt think they would be good shoes (quality wise) but now that i have them i LOVE them!!! i just went on a 1.2 mile breast cancer walk in them and i felt like i had no shoes on! not one blister, cramp, or arch pain. i am so excited. now that i have one pair i have to have more. i want to help this cause out and would like to start a local fundraiser. i work at Chick-fil-a and we do a lot of school fundraisers where 20%l of the total of every transaction for that night for about 3 hours goes to that school. i would like to do that for TOMS. TOMS are sooo popular right now at my school everybody has at least one pair so i believe a fundraiser will do very good here. anyways please email me and i would love to start that off. thank you sooo much.
-keirsten-