Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS, Releases His First Book, "Start Something That Matters"

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, released his first book today titled Start Something That Matters (Speigel & Grau, $22).  In the book, Mycoskie chronicles TOMS' journey and the story behind the revolutionary business model of One for One™ that matches responsible giving with sales – from its modest beginnings to becoming a global movement and one of the fastest growing companies in the world. Start Something That Matters is available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other book retailers nationwide in both traditional and digital formats.

In keeping with the TOMS philosophy, for every book purchased, a new children's book will be provided to a child in need through FirstBook.org.  Mycoskie will also be dedicating 50% of the book's proceeds to helping others start something that matters.

In his book, Mycoskie profiles other social entrepreneurs who have turned their passions into meaningful and sustainable businesses and organizations. Interviews include Tony Hseih, founder of Zappos; Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water; Lauren Bush, founder of FEED Projects; Eric Ryan, co-founder of method; and Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek. Mycoskie also offers readers a new way of thinking about success, defined by work that fulfills hunger for material accomplishment, philanthropic impact and personal meaning.

"My goal is to inspire others to go out and make a positive impact, to start something that matters to them," Mycoskie said. "In my book, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to share everything that we've learned at TOMS over the past five years, so that others can learn from both our mistakes and our successes, and go out and chart their own course."

Mycoskie wrote the book over the course of the past two years, while continuing to chart new territory for the brand.  Recently, he launched TOMS' second product, TOMS Eyewear, which helps save and restore sight to people in need.  In 2010, TOMS received the prestigious Footwear News Brand of the Year Award.  In 2009, Mycoskie was honored by Hillary Clinton as the recipient of the Secretary of State's 2009 Award of Corporate Excellence (ACE).  Established by the State Department in 1999, the award celebrates companies' commitment to corporate social responsibility, innovation and democratic values worldwide.  

Underscoring TOMS' commitment to social good, book sales for "Start Something That Matters" will support First Book's nationwide giving program, which provides books at no cost to community programs, Title I schools, afterschool programs, early childhood programs, health clinics, shelters and many other organizations serving children in need throughout America.

About TOMS:

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village 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™. To date, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children through giving partners around the world.  In June 2011, TOMS launched its second product, TOMS Eyewear, to help save and restore sight to people in need. One for One™.

About First Book:

First Book has distributed more than 85 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.  By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and the elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online at www.firstbook.org or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information, contact:

Doug Piwinski, TOMS
E: [email protected]
C: 310.228.8801
P: 310.566.3170 x194

SOURCE TOMS