Blake's Bio

Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie is the Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, Inc. 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. The One for One business model has encouraged conscientious consumers to purchase and give more than 140,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need in just 3 years. By the end of 2009, TOMS will give an additional 300,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need all around the world, including at home in the US.

In February 2009 at the Clinton Global Initiative University plenary session, former President Clinton introduced Blake to the audience as “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 32-years-old and lives on a sailboat in Los Angeles.