Biography of Blake Mycoskie: Founder & CEO of Toms -Entrepreneur
Biography of Blake Mycoskie:
Early Life and Education
Blake Mycoskie was born in Arlington, Texas, to a family of
strong professionals—his father was an orthopedic surgeon and his mother an
author. He attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin and later went to
Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a partial tennis scholarship. While at
SMU, he pursued a double major in philosophy and business. However, an Achilles
tendon injury during his sophomore year ended his tennis career, leading him to
leave SMU and embark on his entrepreneurial journey.
First Business Venture: EZ Laundry
After leaving SMU, Blake decided to start his first
business—EZ Laundry, a service aimed at solving a problem he noticed at his
university: the lack of on-campus dry cleaning. The business quickly grew,
expanding to service multiple universities and employing over 40 people. By the
time Blake sold the company to his partner in 1999, EZ Laundry had made about
$1 million in sales.
Mycoskie Media and Outdoor Billboard Business
Blake’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop with EZ Laundry.
He moved to Nashville and founded Mycoskie Media, an outdoor billboard company
focused on marketing country music. The company was a success and was bought by
Clear Channel after just nine months of operation. This victory solidified his
reputation as a capable entrepreneur.
The Amazing Race Experience
In 2001, Blake and his sister Paige applied to compete in
the reality TV show The Amazing Race. They made it to the second season, where
they finished in third place, just four minutes away from winning the grand
prize. This experience, though short-lived, gave Blake a taste of competition
and adventure, adding another chapter to his varied career.
Reality Central: The Cable Network Venture
After his time on The Amazing Race, Blake co-founded a cable
network called Reality Central with Larry Namer, one of the founders of E!
Entertainment Television. Raising $25 million from venture capitalists, the
network aimed to provide original content alongside reruns of reality shows.
However, due to intense competition, including from Rupert Murdoch's Fox
Reality Channel, Reality Central folded in 2005.
DriversEd Direct and Viral Marketing
Blake didn’t let the failure of Reality Central deter him.
He partnered with the founders of TrafficSchool.com to create DriversEd Direct,
an online driver’s education service that also offered hybrid and SUV vehicles
for behind-the-wheel training. To market this service, he launched Closer
Marketing Group, a firm specializing in viral marketing and brand development.
Birth of TOMS: A Life-Changing Encounter
In 2006, Blake’s life took a dramatic turn when he visited
Argentina to learn polo. While there, he met a woman working for a nonprofit
that delivered shoes to children in rural areas. Seeing the immense need for
footwear, Blake decided to create a business that would give a pair of shoes to
a person in need for every pair sold. This idea led to the creation of TOMS
Shoes, named for "Tomorrow’s Shoes."
The First Steps of TOMS
Blake teamed up with a local shoemaker in Argentina to
design a more fashionable version of the alpargata, a traditional Argentine
shoe. The first batch of shoes was far from perfect—some had glue stains and
didn’t always fit well—but it was enough to test the concept with his friends
in Los Angeles. Blake’s goal was simple: sell 250 pairs and give away 250 pairs
in Argentina.
Biography of Blake Mycoskie: Founder & CEO of Toms -Entrepreneur#Madefor, wellness company#startup#age#net worth#investor#Blake Mycoskie story
Launching TOMS in Los Angeles
Back in Los Angeles, Blake hosted a dinner party where he
introduced his friends to the new shoes and his vision of giving back. The
response was overwhelmingly positive. Blake approached local boutiques,
including American Rag, to sell the shoes. He didn’t focus on competing with
quality or price, but instead highlighted the unique concept of giving with
every purchase.
The TOMS Journey Begins
The success of this approach marked the beginning of TOMS
Shoes. Blake’s innovative business model, based on the "one for one"
philosophy, quickly caught on. With each pair of shoes sold, a new pair was
donated to children in need around the world. This not only made a positive
impact on many lives but also turned TOMS into a globally recognized brand.
Struggles and Reflections at TOMS
By 2012, TOMS had grown significantly, reaching over $300
million in revenue. However, Blake felt disconnected from the business. The
focus on process rather than purpose made him question his role. Taking a
sabbatical, Blake spent time reflecting on his "why" and realized
that the company had drifted away from its core mission. The experience of
soul-searching rejuvenated his passion, and he returned with renewed energy to
make TOMS a movement once again.
Madefor: A New Venture
In 2017, Blake co-founded Madefor, a wellness company
focused on helping people achieve lasting physical and mental improvements. The
company uses principles from neuroscience, psychology, and physiology to guide
users through a ten-month program aimed at improving their overall well-being.
With Madefor, Blake continues his mission of helping others lead better lives
by creating habits that last.
The TOMS Evolution: A New Phase
By 2014, TOMS had reached a new milestone. Blake sold 50% of
the company to Bain Capital, ensuring that the "one for one" mission
would continue while bringing in new resources to help the brand scale. Blake
also donated 50% of the profits from the sale to support social
entrepreneurship. This move marked a shift, as TOMS was now a global brand with
a commitment to social impact.
TOMS Roasting Co. and Expanding the One-for-One Model
Blake’s vision for TOMS didn’t stop at shoes. In 2014, he
launched TOMS Roasting Co., a coffee company that donates a week’s worth of
water to those in need for every bag of coffee sold. With this new initiative,
Blake expanded the "one for one" model, showing that business could
be a force for good in various industries.
Writing and Social Impact
Blake’s passion for social entrepreneurship led him to write
Start Something That Matters in 2011. In the book, he shared his experience
with TOMS and the concept of using business to make a positive impact. For
every book sold, a children’s book was donated, and the royalties were used to
support up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The book became a bestseller, further
cementing Blake’s position as a leader in social entrepreneurship.
Personal Life and Interests
Outside of work, Blake is an avid adventurer. He enjoys
activities like golf, fly fishing, surfing, rock climbing, and polo. He has
also been involved in various investments, including in Urban Golf Performance
and Athletic Brewing Company. Blake’s personal life also includes a deep
commitment to giving, and he has been a financial benefactor for a young boy
named Wubetu Shimelash from Ethiopia.
Recognition and Awards
Blake’s work with TOMS has earned him numerous accolades,
including the Cannes LionHeart Award in 2016 and the Harvard T.H. Chan School
of Public Health’s Next Generation Award in 2015. His efforts in humanitarian
work and social entrepreneurship have been widely recognized, making him one of
the most influential business leaders in the world. His commitment to using
business as a force for good continues to inspire others to follow suit.
Timeline of Blake Mycoskie's Life and Career:
1976: Born in Arlington, Texas.
Late 1990s: Founded EZ Laundry; sold it for $1 million.
2000: Started Mycoskie Media; sold to Clear Channel.
2001: Competed in The Amazing Race, finished 3rd.
2003: Co-founded Reality Central; it folded in 2005.
2005: Launched DriversEd Direct and Closer Marketing Group.
2006: Founded TOMS Shoes after visiting Argentina.
2006: Launched TOMS in Los Angeles, focusing on "one
for one" model.
2012: Took sabbatical for reflection on TOMS' purpose.
2014: Sold 50% of TOMS to Bain Capital and launched TOMS
Roasting Co.
2017: Co-founded Madefor, a wellness company.
2011: Published Start Something That Matters.
2015: Received Harvard T.H. Chan School's Next Generation
Award.
2016: Awarded the Cannes LionHeart Award.
