Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie Summary
Overview of Start Something That Matters
Discover how TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie's "buy-one-give-one" model revolutionized business ethics. Endorsed by Bill Clinton as "one of the most interesting entrepreneurs I've ever met," this NYT bestseller shows how profit and purpose create unstoppable momentum. Ready to change lives while building success?
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Key takeaways
A Simple Idea That Changed the World
Imagine being on vacation and witnessing children without shoes, vulnerable to disease and unable to attend school. This was Blake Mycoskie's reality in Argentina in 2006-a moment that sparked what would become a global movement. The humble alpargata, a canvas shoe common throughout Argentina, became the inspiration for TOMS Shoes and its revolutionary "One for One" business model: for every pair sold, another would be donated to a child in need. Starting with just three interns and 250 pairs of shoes in his apartment, Blake watched as his idea rapidly caught fire. When Nordstrom expressed interest, the fledgling company scrambled to appear established. What drove this explosive growth wasn't sophisticated marketing but something far more powerful-a story that resonated deeply with customers. The first "Shoe Drop" in Argentina proved transformative. Placing shoes directly onto children's feet alongside family and supporters created an emotional connection that transcended traditional business objectives. This journey revealed a profound truth: success and social impact aren't separate paths-they can be one and the same. TOMS challenged the conventional wisdom that separated profit from purpose, demonstrating that doing good could actually drive business growth. What began as a simple idea has now provided over 100 million pairs of shoes to children worldwide, inspiring countless entrepreneurs to build purpose into their business DNA.
The Narrative That Drives Connection
Embracing Fear as Your Compass
Creating Magic from Constraints
The Elegance of Simplicity
The Currency of Trust
The Transformative Power of Giving
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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