In 2006, Blake Mycoskie traveled to Argentina and witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. He learned that many of these children were unable to attend school because they didn’t have adequate footwear. This experience inspired him to start TOMS Shoes, a company that would provide a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes sold.

Mycoskie started the company with just 250 pairs of shoes and a mission to make a difference in the world. In the early days, he drove around the country in a van, selling shoes and sharing his story with anyone who would listen. Despite facing numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way, Mycoskie remained committed to his vision of using business to create positive social change.

Today, TOMS Shoes has donated over 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need around the world. In addition to its One for One shoe donation program, the company has expanded its mission to include efforts to improve access to clean water, support safe birth practices, and promote mental health and well-being.

Mycoskie’s story is a powerful example of how social entrepreneurship can be a force for good in the world. By combining business acumen with a commitment to social impact, he has been able to create a successful company that is making a difference in the lives of countless people around the world.