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Blake Mycoskie
Founder of TOMS & Co-Founder of Madefor
Blake Mycoskie is an influential American entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known as the founder of TOMS Shoes and co-founder of Madefor. Born on August 26, 1976, in Arlington, Texas, Mycoskie's entrepreneurial journey began early when he founded Mycoskie Media after college, an outdoor advertising company that quickly gained profitability and was sold to Clear Channel within nine months.19
TOMS Shoes
Mycoskie's most notable achievement is founding TOMS Shoes in 2006, inspired by his experiences in Argentina where he witnessed children without shoes. He developed the innovative "One for One" business model, which ensures that for every pair of shoes sold, another pair is donated to a child in need. This model has led to the donation of nearly 96 million pairs of shoes globally.279 Under his leadership, TOMS expanded its philanthropic efforts to include initiatives providing vision restoration and safe drinking water.23
In 2014, Mycoskie sold half of TOMS to Bain Capital and stepped down as CEO but continued to promote the brand's mission as "Chief Shoe Giver".46 He also established The Social Entrepreneurs’ Fund to support startups with social missions, investing in over 25 social enterprises since then.310
Madefor
In 2020, Mycoskie co-founded Madefor alongside former Navy SEAL Patrick Dossett. Madefor is a wellness program that applies principles from neuroscience and psychology to help individuals build sustainable habits over a ten-month period. The program aims to enhance both mental and physical well-being by leveraging scientific insights from top researchers.258 Mycoskie's vision for Madefor reflects his ongoing commitment to personal development and social impact.
Achievements and Recognition
Mycoskie has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named one of Fortune's "40 Under 40" and receiving the Next Generation Award from Harvard University for his contributions to health as a human right. He is also a New York Times bestselling author of "Start Something That Matters," which shares his journey and philosophy on integrating social good into business practices.247
Currently, Blake Mycoskie resides in Jackson, Wyoming, where he continues to engage in outdoor activities and philanthropic efforts while fostering innovation through his various ventures.79
