Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie is a renowned American entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known for founding TOMS Shoes, a company that has partnered with organizations such as Oxfam International, Save the Children, and UNICEF to provide shoes to disadvantaged children around the world, including in countries like Argentina, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Mycoskie's innovative approach to business and philanthropy has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc. magazine, and he has been compared to other successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson and Steve Jobs. Through his work, Mycoskie has collaborated with various celebrities, including Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Angelina Jolie, to raise awareness about social and environmental issues, such as poverty, hunger, and climate change, which are also addressed by organizations like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations Development Programme.

● Early Life and Education

Mycoskie was born in Arlington, Texas, and grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, which inspired him to start his own businesses, including a Laundry service, which he launched while attending Southern Methodist University, where he studied Philosophy and Business Administration. During his college years, Mycoskie was also involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and participated in events like the Dallas Marathon and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. After college, Mycoskie traveled to South America, where he visited countries like Chile, Peru, and Brazil, and was exposed to the works of Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., which influenced his future philanthropic endeavors.

● Career

Mycoskie's career as an entrepreneur began when he started his first company, Ez Laundry, which provided laundry services to students at Southern Methodist University, and later expanded to other universities, including University of Texas at Austin and University of Southern California. He then launched Driver's Ed Direct, an online driver's education company, which partnered with organizations like the American Automobile Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2006, Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes, which has become a leading brand in the Social Entrepreneurship movement, and has collaborated with companies like Warby Parker, Patagonia, and The North Face to promote sustainable and responsible business practices. Mycoskie has also written a book, Start Something That Matters, which has been endorsed by Arianna Huffington, Seth Godin, and Tony Hsieh, and has been featured in publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.

● Philanthropy

Through TOMS Shoes, Mycoskie has implemented a One for One business model, which provides a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold, and has partnered with organizations like World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, and CARE (relief agency), to support various charitable causes, including disaster relief, education, and healthcare. Mycoskie has also supported initiatives like the Global Poverty Project, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. Additionally, Mycoskie has worked with celebrities like Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé to raise awareness about social and environmental issues, and has been involved in events like the Global Citizen Festival and the Live 8 concert.

● Awards and Recognition

Mycoskie has received numerous awards and recognition for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts, including the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence, the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst & Young, and the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award from the World Economic Forum. He has also been featured in publications like Fortune (magazine), Entrepreneur (magazine), and Inc. magazine, and has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time (magazine). Mycoskie has also received honorary degrees from universities like University of Southern California, Southern Methodist University, and Babson College, and has been recognized by organizations like the Clinton Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation.

● Personal Life

Mycoskie is married to Heather Lang Mycoskie, and they have two children together, and reside in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas. Mycoskie is also an avid surfer and traveler, and has visited countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and has participated in events like the X Games and the Ironman Triathlon. Mycoskie has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts in his personal life, including supporting organizations like the Surfrider Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund, and has been recognized for his commitment to environmental causes by organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sierra Club.