Blake Mycoskie-TOMS Shoes Founder Talks to Debonair

“In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 150,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.Our ongoing community events and Shoe Drop Tours allow TOMS supporters and enthusiasts to be part of our One for One movement. Join us.” TOMS Shoes Website

1. What are TOMS Shoes? Where did you get the name?

* TOMS Shoes are Argentine-inspired slip-on shoes, in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles. Our company is based on a simple business model: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.
* When I first started TOMS, I called it the “Shoes for Tomorrow” Project. “Tomorrow” wouldn’t fit on the tag, so I shortened it to TOMS.

2. Where are you based? What are some of your favorite places to hang near where you work?

* TOMS is based in Santa Monica . I live on a boat in Marina del Rey.
* I love going to Abbot’s Habit on Abbot Kinney for a good cup of coffee and biking around Venice is a great way to spend an afternoon in west LA.

3. What is the future of TOMS Shoes?

* A lot of really cool stuff is in store for 2010, including exciting new collections, a big giving effort in Ethiopia to help with the prevention of Podo, and a huge plan around One Day Without Shoes on April 8th.

4. What is this video about that you put together?

* This holiday video is focused on the message of “Choose Shoes”. When you buy a pair of TOMS, or a t-shirt, hat, gift pack… we give a pair of new shoes to a child who really needs them. TOMS Shoes are gifts that work harder and brighten the holidays for others.

5. Do you believe in past lives and if so, what/who were you in your past life?

* I don’t believe in past lives, but if I did, I think I would have been a bird.

6. What was your best trip ever and where do you want to travel next?

* My recent trip to Ethiopia was amazing. There’s so much TOMS can do to help the people and communities there.

* I’m actually looking forward to my trip back to Texas for Christmas. With all the traveling I do, it’s a good feeling to be home.

7. Who is your favorite artist, musician, photographer – who inspires you?

* Photographer who passed away – Dan Eldon, Musicians – Bon Iver, Amos Lee and Frank Sinatra, and Artist – Tyler Ramsey.

8.What has been the most rewarding part of starting TOMS Shoes?

* It’s rewarding to see all different types of people wearing TOMS: from the children we hand place shoes on at a Shoe Drop, to celebrities on the red carpet, to tons of college students proudly wearing theirs and sharing the story on campus. TOMS Shoes are the one thing connecting all these different people around the world.

9. If you were stranded on an island what book would you take with you?

* Greg Mortenson and David Oliver’s Three Cups of Tea.

10. Who inspires you fashion wise?

* My grandma (who I call Nan Naw)! She loved color and bold prints, anything that would demand attention or had a story associated with it.

11. What is your staple uniform? If you had to live in one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

* I have a stack of madras, paisley, and plaid pants and I almost always wear them to events- leads to interesting conversations! I could definitely live in plaid pants.

12. What was the most memorable day of your life thus far and why?

* I’ll never forget when I realized we were bringing 10,000 shoes to Argentina on our first Shoe Drop in 2006, instead of the 250 I initially promised. It was truly amazing. The difference we were making just surpassed my initial hopes by so much.

Bonus question:
13. Leave us with a quote – something you make up or a quote that you just love to repeat?

* A simple phrase I’ve used for years – Carpe Diem.