Toms Shoes, founded by Blake Myscoskie in 2006, is a for-profit company based in Santa Monica, California. This company also operates non-profit subsidiary Friends of Toms. In the business of selling shoes made based on Argentinian alpargata design, whenever Toms sells a pair, Friends of Toms will donate a pair to child in need. This has given rise to the well-known phrase and slogan “One for One”, literally meaning a pair for a pair.

Now how did Blake Mycoskie, a simple American traveler become the root of this cause? While traveling in Argentina, Mycoskie became what is now popularly termed a “social entrepreneur”. He saw opportunity for change and to do social good. . Touched by children with no shoes to protect their feet, he created TOMS to give shoes. With this small action, Toms has grown into one of shoe retailer’s successful firms and leading social enterprise.

Toms has also used its competitive advantage to do social good and spark a world-wide movement. One such movement is One Day Without Shoes, a day whereby through abandoning shoes for a day, awareness is raised of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life.

Referenced Sources:

1) http://www.toms.ca/our-movement/

2) Image 1:  http://www.tomscampusprograms.com/events/toms-one-for-one-1

3) Image 2:  http://www.inhabitots.com/toms-wants-you-to-go-one-day-without-shoes-on-april-5/