TOMS didn't have to focus on advertising, but on giving in a way that's sustainable. Blake Mycoskie More Quotes by Blake Mycoskie More Quotes From Blake Mycoskie The idea of community and helping others has always been a part of who I am. Growing up, my parents always made sure that my siblings and I were doing our part to serve our local community. Blake Mycoskie i-amparentsgrowing-upcommunity I'm not a late-night person. After 10 P.M., I'm falling asleep. If I'm out at that time, I'll be the one falling asleep at dinner. Blake Mycoskie late-nightpersondinnertime Most people yearn to contribute, make the world a better place and have success.... all at the same time... Make sure to give your business a background, a mission and a story. That might be the most important step part of any venture. And remember, giving may be the best investment you ever make. Blake Mycoskie bestbusinesssuccesstime One thing I'm so grateful for is sidestepping the usual venture capital, private equity route. My friends who have gone that way are many times beholden to their boards of directors, to 'sell' ideas to a team. Blake Mycoskie friendsgratefulteamideas I credit my grandmother for my sense of style. She was known for wearing bright, outrageous things because it made people happy and she thought it made her more approachable. When you wear a brightly colored shirt or pants, it shows you don't take yourself too seriously and it puts everyone around you at ease. Blake Mycoskie yourselfyoustylepeople I always have my journal with me. It was handmade by a guy at the San Telmo market in Buenos Aires. If you go there he can make you one. It's leather and bronze and I'm able to replace the paper when it runs out. It has a lion on the cover that I say is there to protect my thoughts. Blake Mycoskie lionthoughtsmeyou Music is such an important part of my life. Blake Mycoskie my-lifemusicimportantlife I try and sweat every day even though I can't always get to the gym. I do a lot of running, which is a great way to see a city, and I try to bike to work. Blake Mycoskie daygreatbikework I've been blessed with a lot of things in life, but God did not give me rhythm. Still, I love to dance - which past girlfriends always found hilarious. Blake Mycoskie megodlovelife Stuff can't make you happy. Blake Mycoskie makeyoustuffhappy I always thought that I would spend the first half of my life making money so I can spend the second half of my life giving it all away. And one of the defining moments of my life was when I realized that I could do both at the same time with TOMS. Blake Mycoskie my-lifemoneytimelife A very big passion of mine and that of the people that run our production is finding factories that have fair labor practices and treating them more like partners in our family than people just who are going to produce for us. Blake Mycoskie findingpassionfamilypeople As entrepreneurs, we often get pressured into hiring an industry executive. While it's good to hire people with experience, it can also be a stumbling block because they think about the business the same way everyone else does. Blake Mycoskie goodexperiencebusinesspeople Walk away from anyone who is unduly focused on vacation and compensation. It's a sign of potential trouble. No matter how talented you are, if you don't really want to work at TOMS, you'll never work out here. Blake Mycoskie walkyoumatterwork With TOMS, I found a way to create sustainable giving and consistently help those who are in need. Blake Mycoskie helpneedgivingway I never thought I would be in a position like this, where my words and experiences are now inspiring others to follow suit. It's challenging at times, but I can only look forward to the future of business and philanthropy. Blake Mycoskie wordslookfuturebusiness
