Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and best-selling author most known for founding TOMS Shoes and is the person behind the idea of One for One®, a business model that helps a person in need with every product purchased.  A simple idea grew into a global movement:  While traveling in Argentina in 2006, Blake witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. His solution to the problem was simple, yet revolutionary: to create a for-profit business that was sustainable and not reliant on donations. Blake’s vision soon turned into the simple business idea that provided the powerful foundation for TOMS.

Since its inception, TOMS Shoes has provided almost 96 million pairs of shoes to children around the globe.  In 2014, after selling half of the company to Bain Capital, Blake stepped down as CEO of TOMS.  Utilizing half of his proceeds, he started the Social Entrepreneurship Fund to help early startups with core social missions get off the ground with much-needed funding. Since then, he has invested in over 25 social enterprises.

Blake went on to realize for the first time in eighteen years, he wasn’t actively starting or growing a company.  During this transition period, a new mission was born.  In the spring of 2020, Blake co-founded his newest company, Madefor.  A ten-month program that applies the principles of modern neuroscience, psychology, and physiology to make your brain and body better. Created alongside scientists from Stanford, Harvard and other top universities, Madefor helps people learn and sustain positive habits and practices that have the greatest impact on their lives.

Blake is a New York Times best-selling author with his book, Start Something That Matters, published in 2011 – which offered his own story of inspiration, and the power of incorporating giving in business.  Blake has achieved numerous accolades for his unique approach to business including the Secretary of State’s 2009 Award of Corporate Excellence, the 2015 Next Generation Award from Harvard’s School of Public Health, the 2016 Cannes Lion Heart Award and the 2018 amfAR Award of Courage. Blake has also been featured in People Magazine in the “Heroes Among Us” section and in Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40”, among others. Blake also recently expanded his philanthropic efforts to include the funding of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins, making it the first such research center in the US and the largest of its kind in the world.

Born and raised in Texas, Blake now resides in Jackson, Wyoming with his family, dogs, and horses. In his free time, you can find him outside enjoying nature whether it is rock climbing, surfing or snowboarding.

VIRTUAL APPEARANCES

Blake loves the flexibility of doing virtual appearances and the format is an interactive, moderated dialogue – instead of a more traditional presentation.

The virtual Fireside Chat format offers attendees a more personalized experience since attendees have the opportunity to engage in a free-ranging discussion that hits upon the topics of highest interest to the assembled audience.  The result is a truly one-of-a-kind, intimate experience with the pioneer of the One for One movement and an early adopter and strong evangelist of Conscious Capitalism.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC IDEAS

We welcome your ideas and suggestions for what you’d like to ask Blake about during the Chat – and here are a few topics to get you brainstorming:

The importance of mental and physical well-being….and the power of incremental steps in building sustainable habits that transform your life.

Self-awareness and reflection as a means of personal and professional growth

Entrepreneurship – and the entrepreneurial mindset…..spotting opportunities and making the most of them

Building your team – selecting the right people for the job

Work and life – striking a balanced blend

Conscious capitalism

Creating a powerful brand

Storytelling as a way to cultivate customer engagement and loyalty

IN-PERSON APPEARANCES

(ONCE LARGE GATHERINGS CAN RESUME – USA ONLY)

The Power of Ideas – from TOMS to Madefor

If the lifeblood of an entrepreneur is the idea, the oxygen that can sustain them is the belief that their ideas can change the world for the better.  As we navigate life searching for purpose and meaning, and chasing conventional notions of success in the process, ideas come and go from our consciousness, but some stick, and if we are lucky enough, or perhaps brave enough, we act on those ideas and they become something transformative.  The power of ideas is what drove Blake Mycoskie to start TOMS (and give over ninety million pairs of shoes to kids in the process), to write Start Something that Matters, to take on various social causes through philanthropy, and most recently to start his latest company, Madefor.

You may think you know Blake Mycoskie — serial entrepreneur, participant on the Amazing Race, Founder of TOMS, author of Start Something that Matters, father, philanthropist, adventurer — but those are only parts of his story.  Despite checking all the boxes we’re all taught to try to check, he’s continued a lifelong journey of exploration and personal transformation, and in doing so realized there’s way more to life than that. Through his talk, The Power of Ideas, Blake will share his quest to go within and beyond, and relate it to what it may mean for you as you search for meaning, connection, contribution and happiness in your own life.