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Toms Shoes

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For other uses, see Toms.
TOMS Shoes
IndustryRetail
Founded2006 (2006)
FounderBlake Mycoskie
HeadquartersSanta Monica, California, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Blake Mycoskie
(CEO / Founder)
ProductsShoes, clothing, eyewear
Websitetoms.com

TOMS Shoes is a for-profit[1] company based in Santa Monica, California,[2] that also operates a non-profit subsidiary, Friends of TOMS. The company was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, an entrepreneur from Arlington, Texas.[3][4][5] The company designs and sells shoes based on the Argentine alpargata design.[6] When TOMS sells a pair of shoes, Friends of TOMS donates a pair to a person in need.

Business operations

While competing on the second season of The Amazing Race with his sister, Mycoskie visited Argentina. He returned there on vacation in January 2006 and had the idea to develop a shoe company where for every pair sold, a new pair would be given to child in need. [4][7][8] Mycoskie took to wearing the local alpargata shoes. After Mycoskie noticed the numerous children without shoes in the poorer villages, he returned to the United States and sold his online driver education company to self-finance the shoe company.[9]

Alt text
A traditional alpargata style shoe.

These shoes have also been worn by Argentine farmers for hundreds of years and were the inspiration for the classic style of TOMS.[10] These canvas or cotton fabric shoes are now manufactured in many styles including a Wrap Boot, Stitchouts, Cordones, and Botas. The sole is constructed of rubber. The company name is derived from the word "tomorrow,"[6] and evolved from the original concept, "Shoes for Tomorrow Project."[9]

Manufacturing

According to the corporate website, TOMS are currently manufactured in Argentina, China and Ethiopia.[11]

Philanthropy

Background

After his visit to Argentina in 2006, Mycoskie decided to get involved in shoe giving. Considering sustainability, he concluded that starting a business rather than a charity would help his impact last longer. In his speech at the Second Annual Clinton Global Initiative,[12] Mycoskie recalled that children without shoes were not only susceptible to health risks, but were not allowed to go to school.

Mycoskie states that his motivation is a disease called podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease. Also known as "Mossy Foot", podoconiosis is a form of elephantiasis that affects the lymphatic system of the lower legs.[13] It is a soil-transmitted disease caused by walking in silica-rich soil.[14] This causes one's feet to swell along with many other health implications. Shoes are the most basic solution to many of these health risks. Mycoskie emphasizes that his company's goal is to not only give shoes, but to also educate others on the importance of wearing shoes.[12]

Shoe drops

For every pair of TOMS Shoes purchased, Friends of TOMS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit affiliate of TOMS Shoes,[15] gives a pair of new shoes is given to a child in need. Over 1,000,000 pairs of shoes have been given to children under the One for One program since TOMS launched in 2006.[16] The canvas shoes have been given to children in more than 20 countries worldwide, including the United States (Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Florida), Argentina, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guatemala, Haiti, and South Africa. TOMS are sold at more than 500 stores nationwide and internationally, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Whole Foods Market, which features styles made from recycled materials.[17]

With help from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGO's), TOMS is able to give shoes to children in need year-round. The non-profit organization Friends of TOMS also coordinates "Shoe Drops" around the world for employees and volunteers to experience TOMS giving first-hand. A shoe drop in early 2009 in Uruguay was filmed to be included as part of a national AT&T commercial.[18] Volunteers on shoe drops are able to hand-deliver shoes to children. TOMS currently gives in over 20 countries.

In 2006, it distributed 10,000 pairs of shoes in Argentina.[19][20] In November 2007, the company distributed 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in South Africa.[21] As of April 2009, TOMS had distributed 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa as well as children in the United States.[17] The company announced in April 2010 that they had given over 600,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need around the world.[22]

During September 2010, while in Argentina, TOMS gave away the 1,000,000th pair of shoes.[23]

Current projects

In 2009, TOMS aimed to give shoes to children in Haiti in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative.[12] They also work with a factory in Ethiopia to provide shoes locally in the surrounding areas.[24] The company has also expanded its merchandise list to include clothing and different types of shoes including Stitchouts, Wrap Boots, Botas, Cordones, and the Wedge, which debuted June 2010.

On April 5, 2011, TOMS hosted their 4th annual One Day Without Shoes. The company will challenge people worldwide to go a day without shoes in order to raise awareness for the millions of children who go without shoes every day. More than 250,000 people across the globe went barefoot on April 8 of last year in support of TOMS One Day Without Shoes.[25]

In 2011 TOMS Eyewear was launched, using a similar model of one for one. For every pair of glasses sold, a child in need will receive either medical care, prescription glasses, or sight-saving surgery.

TOMS Shoes is a sponsor for 2011 Movember.[26]

Reception

Recognition

In October 2007, TOMS Shoes received the People's Design Award, as determined by an online popularity contest by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and has been noted as a successful model of social entrepreneurship.[27][28]

In 2007, Blake was invited to speak at the Opening Plenary of the Second Annual CGI U Meeting.[29] This meeting in Austin, Texas hosted more than 1,300 students and activists from around the world. On March 6, 2009 he attended a meeting with President Obama's senior administration along with other business leaders to present solutions and ideas regarding U.S. economic policy.[30] Specifically, he presented information regarding potential in the economic plan to support small businesses in the U.S.

In February 2009 Mycoskie spoke at the TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design).[31] More recently, he was featured along with the owner of Frontera Foods, Rick Bayless in a CNBC segment "The Entrepreneurs". that highlighted the innovators' profiles and the stories behind their companies.[32]

On April 8, 2009, an AT&T commercial aired during the Master's Golf Tournament featuring TOMS Shoes. Directed by award-winning Bennet Miller, it was the first time the AT&T mobile unit has displayed a real company.[33]

In February 2010, FastCompany named TOMS #6 on their list of Top Ten Most Innovative Retail Companies.[34]

At the 2011 South by Southwest conference, Blake gave the keynote address,[35] where he unveiled the Mystery Box,[36] housing the next chapter of One for One.

Focus on the Family

In July 2011, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie participated in an event sponsored by the group Focus on the Family.[37][38] After being criticized for supporting a socially conservative non-profit, Mycoskie posted an apology on his website stating that he and his handlers had not heard of Focus on the Family before participating in the event and decided it was a mistake. He also stated that he and the company support equal human and civil rights.[39][40]

References

  1. ^ "For Profit or Non-Profit?: Is TOMS a non-profit organization?". TOMS Shoes. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Legal Information & Privacy Policy." TOMS Shoes. Retrieved on July 30, 2010.
  3. ^ Blair, Jennifer (January 2009). "A Mile in his Shoes". Fort Worth, Texas: The City's Magazine. Fort Worth Texas Magazine. p. 38.
  4. ^ a b Wong, Grace (September 26, 2008). "Blake Mycoskie: Sole ambition". CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  5. ^ Sellers, Patricia (October 11, 2008). "Power Point: Be the change". Fortune. Cable News Network. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  6. ^ a b Cook, Shannon (March 26, 2009). "These shoes help others get a step up". CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  7. ^ Chansanchai, Athima (June 11, 2007). "Happy feet: Buy a pair of TOMS shoes and a pair will be donated to a poor child abroad". seattlepi.com. Hearst Seattle Media, LLC. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  8. ^ Brune, Brett (December 28, 2007). "For-profit helps keep charity running". Marketplace. American Public Media. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  9. ^ a b Miller, Linda (April 5, 2009). "Shoes offer a better tomorrow". NewsOK. NewsOK.com. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  10. ^ "Blake Mycoskie". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  11. ^ "TOMS Manufacturing Practices". TOMS Shoes. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  12. ^ a b c "CGI U". Toms.com. February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  13. ^ Dean, Laura (February 16, 2010). "100% Preventable Disease, "Podo," Takes a Toll". change.org.
  14. ^ Sharaby, Orli. "TOMS Shoes' Blake Mycoskie Talks to PSFK". Syfy. March 9, 2009.
  15. ^ "Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78 Search Results". United States Government. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  16. ^ [1]
  17. ^ a b Moore, Booth (April 19, 2009). "Toms Shoes' model is sell a pair, give a pair away". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  18. ^ TOMS Shoes website. Retrieved on 2009-05-07.
  19. ^ Mustafa, Nadia (January 26, 2007). "A Shoe That Fits So Many Souls". Time. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  20. ^ "Amped-up alpargatas". HeraldTribune.com. October 30, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  21. ^ Van Schalkwyk, Surika (February 11, 2008). "Steps in the right direction". Mail & Guardian Online. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  22. ^ [2][dead link]
  23. ^ Cifani, Nicole. "TOMS Shoes One Millionth Pair Shoe Drop". Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  24. ^ Lerman, Emily (April 15, 2009). "PhiLAnthropist Interview: TOMS Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie Plans to Give Away 300,000 Pairs in 2009". LAist. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  25. ^ "What is One Day Without Shoes?". onedaywithoutshoes.com. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  26. ^ "Movember". TOMS Shoes. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  27. ^ McGuigan, Cathleen (October 19, 2007). "TOMS Shoes Wins Design Award". Newsweek.com. Newsweek, Inc. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  28. ^ Sherman, Lauren (July 24, 2008). "Can Green Retailers Make Green?". Forbes.com. Forbes.com LLC. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  29. ^ "CGI U" TOMS Shoes. Retrieved on 2009-05-06.
  30. ^ "TOMS In the White House"TOMS Shoes. Retrieved on 2009-05-06.
  31. ^ ""TED" TOMS Shoes. Retrieved on 2009-05-06.
  32. ^ CNBC's The Entrepreneurs TOMS Shoes. Retrieved on 2009-05-07.
  33. ^ "AT&T TOMS Shoes Commercial". Mefeedia.com.[dead link]
  34. ^ Sacks, Danielle (February 12, 2010). "Most Innovative Companies - Retail". Fast Company. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  35. ^ "South by Southwest Schedule?". South By Southwest. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  36. ^ "YouTube - he Next Chapter of One for One: Blake Mycoskie Announces at SXSW 2011". Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  37. ^ "Tom's Shoes Founder Steps on Gay Toes". Huffington Post. 2011-09-12.
  38. ^ Mirabella, Joe (2011-07-09). "Focus on the Family Misrepresented Relationship with TOMS Shoes". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  39. ^ [3][dead link]
  40. ^ "TOMS Shoes founder apologizes for Focus on the Family connection". The Washington Post. 2011-07-16.

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