Blake Mycoskie Quotes

Powerful Blake Mycoskie for Daily Growth

About Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder of Toms Shoes, a company that revolutionized the footwear industry with its one-for-one business model. Born on August 20, 1976, in Arlington, Texas, Mycoskie developed a passion for adventure and travel at an early age. His wanderlust led him to explore various parts of the world, including Argentina, where he first encountered the indigenous communities living in poverty without adequate footwear. Inspired by this experience, Mycoskie founded Toms Shoes in 2006. The company's mission was to help those in need by donating a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. This innovative business model, popularly known as "one-for-one," quickly gained traction and propelled Toms into a global success story. Mycoskie's work with Toms has not only been financially successful but also socially impactful. Through the company, over 100 million pairs of shoes have been donated to children in need across the world. In addition to shoes, Toms has expanded its product line to include eyewear and coffee, continuing to adhere to the one-for-one model. Mycoskie's influence extends beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors. He is a strong advocate for social entrepreneurship and has been recognized by numerous organizations for his philanthropic work. In 2015, Mycoskie published "Start Something That Matters," a book that shares his journey and offers insights into social entrepreneurship and creating positive change in the world. Today, Blake Mycoskie continues to inspire countless individuals with his commitment to business ethics, philanthropy, and making a difference in the world through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Giving is not just about making a donation. It's about making a difference."

This quote emphasizes that charitable acts extend beyond merely providing financial support; it's about creating meaningful impact in the lives of others. In essence, giving has the power to effectuate change, not just alleviate temporary needs. It's a call to action for everyone to think creatively and deeply when considering how their resources can make a lasting difference in the world.


"Every time you buy TOMS, we help a person in need. And that makes us smile."

This quote emphasizes the dual role of consumerism in society, where purchasing products can serve a purpose beyond personal satisfaction. Here, Blake Mycoskie highlights the social impact of buying TOMS shoes, a company known for its "One for One" business model, meaning that with each pair of shoes sold, another pair is given to someone in need. This altruistic approach to commerce not only offers footwear but also provides support and smiles to those less fortunate, making the purchase process more meaningful and fulfilling for both the buyer and recipient.


"The power of giving is that it creates the feeling of connection."

This quote emphasizes the emotional impact of generosity. The act of giving, whether time, resources, or kindness, fosters a sense of connection between people. It implies that when we give, we're not only sharing something material but also creating a bond based on shared values and mutual respect. Giving, therefore, serves as a powerful tool to build connections, strengthen relationships, and promote empathy among individuals.


"One for one. We use business to improve lives."

This quote by Blake Mycoskie highlights a business model known as "one-for-one", where a company integrates social responsibility directly into its business strategy. In this case, for every product sold, the company commits to improving or saving a life somewhere in the world. It's a powerful approach that leverages the power of commerce not just for profit, but also for positive change and humanitarian impact. This quote symbolizes the concept that businesses can be forces for good, using their resources and reach to make a tangible difference in people's lives.


"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."

This quote underscores the importance of taking action in the present to shape a better future. It suggests that regretting past mistakes or longing for a different starting point is futile; instead, we should focus on making positive changes starting from where we currently are. In essence, it encourages us to seize opportunities, learn from our errors, and work towards improving our lives and the world around us.


The goal isn't how much money you make, but how much you help people.

- Blake Mycoskie

Help, How, How Much, How Much Money

I believe each of us has a mission in life, and that one cannot truly be living their most fulfilled life until they recognize this mission and dedicate their life to pursuing it.

- Blake Mycoskie

Living, Pursuing, Fulfilled, Dedicate

If you have a sense that your money is somehow, even indirectly, contributing to a cause that you find morally problematic, then it seems somewhere between reasonable and obligatory for you to vote with your dollars.

- Blake Mycoskie

Reasonable, Problematic, Obligatory

I would have never imagined that I'd become a shoe salesman so that I could give away shoes. I mean that idea is ludicrous.

- Blake Mycoskie

Give, Away, Could, Salesman

A lot of people like the idea of companies being socially involved in their community, but if you want big companies to get involved in social issues, what makes you think they're going to come down on your side?

- Blake Mycoskie

Big, Idea, Your, Big Companies

A very big passion of mine and that of the people that run our production is finding factories that have fair labor practices and treating them more like partners in our family than people just who are going to produce for us.

- Blake Mycoskie

Big, Production, Very, Treating

I always thought that I would spend the first half of my life making money so I can spend the second half of my life giving it all away. And one of the defining moments of my life was when I realized that I could do both at the same time with TOMS.

- Blake Mycoskie

My Life, Away, Half, Defining

One thing I'm so grateful for is sidestepping the usual venture capital, private equity route. My friends who have gone that way are many times beholden to their boards of directors, to 'sell' ideas to a team.

- Blake Mycoskie

Private, Capital, Directors, Beholden

You know, you hear people talk about soul mates? That one person that you see, and that's it for you? Well, TOMS is the business equivalent of a soul mate for me.

- Blake Mycoskie

Soul Mate, Mates, Equivalent, Hear People

People often ask me what I consider my goal to be at TOMS. The truth is that it's changed over the years. When we first began, the goal was to create a for-profit company to help the children that I met in a small village in Argentina.

- Blake Mycoskie

Children, Small, Years, Argentina

I always have my journal with me. It was handmade by a guy at the San Telmo market in Buenos Aires. If you go there he can make you one. It's leather and bronze and I'm able to replace the paper when it runs out. It has a lion on the cover that I say is there to protect my thoughts.

- Blake Mycoskie

Out, Guy, Replace, Journal

Almost every morning I write in my journal. I've been keeping it for a long time - I've filled more than 50 books. I write about what's going on in my personal and spiritual life or what's going on at work. It helps me keep things in perspective, especially when things get crazy or I get stressed or we have obstacles.

- Blake Mycoskie

Been, I Write, Almost, Journal

When I accept an invitation for a public speaking engagement, my purpose is to share the TOMS story and our giving mission. In no way do I believe this means I endorse every single aspect of that organization. That may be naive, and you may disagree, but it is my sincere belief.

- Blake Mycoskie

Purpose, Believe, Engagement, Naive

Giving builds loyal customers and turns those customers into supporters... You can find passion and profit and meaning all at once, right now.

- Blake Mycoskie

Giving, Right, Loyal, Profit

I would never want to take TOMS or myself into an issues debate. That's not what we're about. We're about helping people.

- Blake Mycoskie

Myself, Want, Helping, Helping People

I feel a deep sense of responsibility to share everything that we've learned from TOMS, so that others can learn from both our mistakes and the counterintuitive principles that have guided our success.

- Blake Mycoskie

Deep, Learn, Learned, Guided

Exercise your purchasing power as a consumer, volunteer and bring joy to those in need, and share your experiences, tell your stories, and inspire others along the way.

- Blake Mycoskie

Need, Purchasing, Stories, Consumer

Anyone can make a difference, so you don't have to have it be some huge, global campaign... you can start small, and that's just as important.

- Blake Mycoskie

Start, Small, Some, Make A Difference

I think the word 'social entrepreneur' is a really good description of what I am. What that means me to is that you have the entrepreneurial gift and spirit to create something out of nothing.

- Blake Mycoskie

Gift, Think, Means, Entrepreneur

I've been blessed with a lot of things in life, but God did not give me rhythm. Still, I love to dance - which past girlfriends always found hilarious.

- Blake Mycoskie

Love, Always, Which, Girlfriends

I don't get jet lagged that much. I'm so used to traveling and being in different places every day that I can sleep anywhere.

- Blake Mycoskie

Used, Different Places, Jet

Giving feels good, but it's also good for the bottom line. Charity is a viable growth strategy for a lot of companies. Our customers get excited to be a part of what we're doing. If you ask anyone wearing Toms how they first heard about us, most won't mention an advertisement; they'll say a friend told them our story.

- Blake Mycoskie

Doing, Line, Feels, Viable

Walk away from anyone who is unduly focused on vacation and compensation. It's a sign of potential trouble. No matter how talented you are, if you don't really want to work at TOMS, you'll never work out here.

- Blake Mycoskie

Here, Away, Sign, Vacation

I credit my grandmother for my sense of style. She was known for wearing bright, outrageous things because it made people happy and she thought it made her more approachable. When you wear a brightly colored shirt or pants, it shows you don't take yourself too seriously and it puts everyone around you at ease.

- Blake Mycoskie

Thought, Ease, Pants, Outrageous

We are all human beings and I believe that we all should have equal rights.

- Blake Mycoskie

Believe, I Believe That, I Believe

As entrepreneurs, we often get pressured into hiring an industry executive. While it's good to hire people with experience, it can also be a stumbling block because they think about the business the same way everyone else does.

- Blake Mycoskie

Hire, Hiring, Entrepreneurs, Block

Instead of squirreling away your earnings early in your career, spend on experiences that will enrich your life - like diving with great white sharks. It can expose you to influential people who could open doors for you.

- Blake Mycoskie

Career, Away, Influential, Open Doors

I never thought I would be in a position like this, where my words and experiences are now inspiring others to follow suit. It's challenging at times, but I can only look forward to the future of business and philanthropy.

- Blake Mycoskie

Thought, I Can, Inspiring, Philanthropy

I can honestly say that TOMS is my future. I mean I have no desire to start any other company for as long as I live because this is the perfect blend of business and philanthropy to me.

- Blake Mycoskie

Desire, Other, Honestly, Philanthropy

I think sometimes we forget what we have, and occasionally it's important to remind ourselves.

- Blake Mycoskie

Think, Forget, Important, Remind

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.