Maintenance script: Created comprehensive CEO article for TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie

2026-02-12T14:35:43Z

Created comprehensive CEO article for TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie

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{{Infobox person
| name = Blake Mycoskie
| image = Blake Mycoskie at SXSW 2011.jpg
| caption = Mycoskie speaks at SXSW 2011
| birth_name = Blake Mycoskie
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|8|26}}
| birth_place = [[Arlington, Texas]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| education = [[Southern Methodist University]] (attended)
| occupation = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|author|philanthropist}}
| title = Founder
| company = [[TOMS Shoes]]
| years_active = 1997–present
| spouse = Heather Lang (m. 2012; div. 2020)
| children = 2 (Summit, Charlie)
| net_worth = $300 million (2025 estimate)
| notable_works = ''Start Something That Matters''
| television = ''[[The Amazing Race 2]]''
| website = {{URL|toms.com}}
}}

'''Blake Mycoskie''' (born August 26, 1976) is an American [[entrepreneur]], [[author]], and [[philanthropist]] who is best known as the founder of [[TOMS Shoes]], a footwear and accessories company that pioneered the "One for One" business model, in which the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. Mycoskie founded TOMS in 2006 after visiting [[Argentina]] and witnessing the effects of poverty on children who lacked adequate footwear, an experience that inspired him to create what he called "a company with a soul."

A serial entrepreneur whose ventures span industries from laundry services to outdoor advertising to reality television, Mycoskie first gained national attention as a contestant on Season 2 of ''[[The Amazing Race]]'' (2002), where he competed with his sister Paige and finished in third place, missing the million-dollar prize by just four minutes. This early brush with fame and disappointment did not deter him; instead, it fueled a restless ambition that would lead him to found or co-found more than half a dozen companies before TOMS made him a household name.

TOMS became one of the most recognizable examples of [[social entrepreneurship]], inspiring numerous imitators with its "One for One" model and helping to popularize the concept of businesses that integrate charitable giving directly into their commercial operations. By 2013, TOMS had donated more than 10 million pairs of shoes to people in need around the world. However, the model also attracted significant criticism from development economists and international aid professionals who questioned whether shoe donations effectively addressed poverty or might even harm local economies by undercutting indigenous shoemakers.

In 2014, Mycoskie sold 50% of TOMS to [[Bain Capital]] in a deal that valued the company at approximately $625 million and reportedly netted him $300 million personally. However, the company subsequently struggled under the weight of debt taken on during the acquisition, and in December 2019, TOMS' creditors took ownership of the company in an out-of-court restructuring, effectively ending Mycoskie's ownership stake and operational involvement.

Beyond TOMS, Mycoskie has pursued ventures in wellness and impact investing. In 2020, he co-founded Madefor, a subscription-based wellness program designed to help users develop sustainable habits. He has appeared as a guest shark on ''[[Shark Tank]]'', investing in mission-driven startups that align with his philosophy of using business as a force for positive social impact. He is the author of the ''[[New York Times]]'' bestselling book ''Start Something That Matters'' (2011), which articulates his philosophy of social entrepreneurship and provides guidance for entrepreneurs seeking to build purpose-driven businesses.

== Early life and education ==

=== Childhood in Texas ===

Blake Mycoskie was born on August 26, 1976, in [[Arlington, Texas]], a city in the [[Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex]] known for its sports venues, entertainment destinations, and suburban family communities. He was raised in a successful professional family that modeled both achievement and entrepreneurship. His father, Mike Mycoskie, is an orthopedic surgeon, and his mother, Pam Mycoskie, is an author.

Growing up in the affluent suburbs of the Dallas area, Mycoskie displayed early signs of the entrepreneurial energy and competitive drive that would characterize his adult career. He began playing tennis at age 10 and developed sufficient skill to earn recognition as a serious competitive player, ultimately winning a partial tennis scholarship to college.

=== High school ===

Mycoskie attended Arlington Martin High School initially before transferring to St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, Texas, from which he graduated in 1995. St. Stephen's is a prestigious private boarding and day school known for its rigorous academics, emphasis on character development, and preparation of students for competitive colleges and universities.

The transfer to St. Stephen's may have reflected his family's desire to provide him with stronger academic preparation or athletic opportunities, though the specific reasons are not publicly documented. The school's culture of achievement and service may have planted early seeds for the philanthropic orientation that would later define TOMS.

=== College at Southern Methodist University ===

In 1995, Mycoskie enrolled at [[Southern Methodist University]] (SMU) in [[Dallas, Texas]], on a partial tennis scholarship. SMU is a private research university known for its business school, law school, and connection to Dallas's business and civic leadership. Mycoskie declared a dual major in philosophy and business, an unusual combination that suggested both intellectual curiosity and practical ambition.

However, Mycoskie's college tennis career and academic trajectory were disrupted by an Achilles tendon injury sustained during his sophomore year. The injury effectively ended his competitive tennis career and prompted him to reconsider his path. Rather than remaining at SMU to complete his degree, Mycoskie made the unconventional decision to leave college and launch his first business.

=== EZ Laundry: First venture ===

While still technically enrolled at SMU, or shortly after leaving, Mycoskie founded EZ Laundry, a door-to-door laundry pickup and delivery service targeting college students. He recognized that SMU lacked on-campus dry cleaning services and that students would pay for the convenience of having their laundry handled for them.

The business proved successful beyond the SMU campus, eventually expanding to service three universities, employing more than 40 people, and generating approximately $1 million in annual sales. EZ Laundry demonstrated that Mycoskie could identify market opportunities, build operational systems, manage employees, and scale a service business—skills that would serve him well in subsequent ventures.

In 1999, Mycoskie sold EZ Laundry to his business partner, providing capital and confidence to pursue additional entrepreneurial opportunities. The sale marked his first successful exit and established a pattern of starting businesses, growing them, and either selling or moving on to new challenges.

== Early career ==

=== Mycoskie Media and billboard advertising ===

After selling EZ Laundry, Mycoskie moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], drawn by opportunities in the country music industry. He founded Mycoskie Media, an outdoor billboard advertising company that focused primarily on marketing country music artists, labels, and related entertainment businesses.

The Nashville billboard venture capitalized on the city's concentration of music industry clients and the visibility that outdoor advertising could provide in a market where artist promotion was constant and competitive. Mycoskie Media was quickly profitable, demonstrating his ability to identify niche markets and build profitable businesses in unfamiliar industries.

Remarkably, [[Clear Channel Communications]] (now [[iHeartMedia]]) acquired Mycoskie Media just nine months after its launch. The rapid acquisition provided Mycoskie with capital and further validation that he could create value quickly in diverse industries. It also established a pattern of relatively brief but intense engagement with ventures—building them to a point of attractiveness and then moving on.

=== The Amazing Race ===

In 2001, Mycoskie and his younger sister, Paige Mycoskie, applied to compete on ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]'', the hit CBS reality competition series that had debuted in 2000 and captivated American audiences. However, a member of the Survivor production team informed them about ''[[The Amazing Race]]'', a new reality competition series that had not yet aired. The siblings shifted their application to the race format, which would involve teams of two competing in a series of challenges while traversing multiple countries.

Blake and Paige were cast for Season 2 of The Amazing Race, which began airing in January 2002. The brother-sister team proved competitive throughout the race, navigating challenges across multiple continents while managing the physical and emotional demands of round-the-world travel under competitive pressure.

The siblings won a Fast Forward in Episode 9, earning themselves a vacation to Puerto Rico as an additional prize. They reached the final leg of the race and finished in third place behind winners Chris Luca and Alex Boylan. Blake and Paige missed the million-dollar grand prize by approximately four minutes—a razor-thin margin that surely provided both disappointment and motivation.

The Amazing Race experience provided Mycoskie with national television exposure, demonstrating his competitive drive and willingness to take risks. It also reinforced the value of partnerships—in this case, family partnership—and the importance of persistence in the face of setbacks. The show aired during a formative period of Mycoskie's career and raised his profile within the entertainment industry.

=== Reality Central ===

Following The Amazing Race, Mycoskie moved to [[Los Angeles]] and pursued opportunities at the intersection of entrepreneurship and entertainment. In Los Angeles, he co-founded the cable network Reality Central with Larry Namer, a veteran entertainment entrepreneur who had co-founded [[E! Entertainment Television]].

Reality Central was conceived as a cable network dedicated entirely to reality television programming, planning to air both original content and reruns of reality shows from other networks. The venture raised $25 million from venture capitalists and other investors, including various members of reality show casts who saw opportunity in the burgeoning genre.

The network launched in 2003 and achieved moderate initial success. However, the venture faced an existential threat when [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corporation]] launched the [[Fox Reality Channel]], which outbid Reality Central for advertising deals and programming rights. Unable to compete with Fox's resources, Reality Central folded in 2005.

The Reality Central failure provided hard lessons about competition, market timing, and the challenges of operating in industries where larger players could overwhelm smaller competitors. For Mycoskie, it reinforced the importance of either being first to market, having sustainable competitive advantages, or operating in niches where giants couldn't or wouldn't compete.

=== DriversEd Direct and Closer Marketing ===

Undeterred by the Reality Central setback, Mycoskie quickly moved to his next venture. He partnered with the founders of TrafficSchool.com to create DriversEd Direct, an online driver's education service that also offered behind-the-wheel training in hybrid and sport utility vehicles.

To promote DriversEd Direct, Mycoskie created Closer Marketing Group, a Santa Monica-based marketing firm specializing in brand development and viral marketing. The marketing firm served both as a promotional vehicle for DriversEd Direct and as a standalone business serving other clients.

These ventures demonstrated Mycoskie's continued restlessness and willingness to pivot between industries, always seeking the next opportunity. By this point, he had operated in laundry services, outdoor advertising, cable television, online education, and marketing consulting—a remarkably diverse portfolio for someone still in his late twenties.

== TOMS ==

=== The Argentina trip ===

In 2006, Mycoskie traveled to [[Argentina]] for a vacation. The trip would transform his life and career in ways he could not have anticipated. While in Argentina, he encountered an American woman who was volunteering with an organization that provided shoes to children in need. Intrigued, Mycoskie spent several days traveling from village to village with the group, observing their work and engaging with the communities they served.

The experience was profoundly affecting. In a 2011 article for ''[[Business Insider]]'', Mycoskie wrote: "I witnessed the intense pockets of poverty just outside the bustling capital. It dramatically heightened my awareness. Yes, I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that poor children around the world often went barefoot, but now, for the first time, I saw the real effects of being shoeless: the blisters, the sores, the infections."

The visceral encounter with poverty and its physical manifestations catalyzed Mycoskie's imagination. He began thinking about how he might address the problem, not through traditional charity but through a business model that could sustain itself while doing good.

=== Founding TOMS ===

Returning to the United States, Mycoskie founded a company initially called "Shoes for Better Tomorrows." The company was designed as a for-profit business that would donate a new pair of shoes to a disadvantaged child for every pair of shoes sold—a model Mycoskie dubbed "One for One."

The shoes themselves were based on the [[alpargata]], a traditional Argentinian canvas shoe that Mycoskie had observed during his travels. The simple, affordable design could appeal to a worldwide audience while keeping production costs manageable enough to sustain the donation model.

The company name was soon shortened to TOMS (derived from "Tomorrow's Shoes" or "Shoes for Tomorrow"), and sales officially began in May 2006. The venture was bootstrapped initially, with Mycoskie investing his own capital and handling much of the early operations himself.

=== Early growth and media attention ===

TOMS received a crucial boost when the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' published an article about the company in 2006. The story resonated with readers, generating such overwhelming response that the company received order requests for nine times its available inventory. The viral attention validated the appeal of the One for One concept and demonstrated the power of earned media for mission-driven brands.

In the company's first year, TOMS sold 10,000 pairs of shoes—a remarkable achievement for a startup with limited marketing budget and conventional retail distribution. The grassroots support from socially conscious consumers, particularly young people attracted to the company's charitable mission, provided a foundation for continued growth.

=== Expansion and diversification ===

TOMS expanded beyond shoes in 2011 with the launch of TOMS Eyewear, which applied the One for One model to sunglasses and optical glasses. For every pair of eyewear purchased, the company would provide sight-saving medical treatment, prescription glasses, or eye surgery to a person in need.

To administer the eyewear giving program, TOMS partnered with the Seva Foundation, an experienced organization with infrastructure for delivering eye care in developing countries. The partnership launched programs in Nepal, Tibet, and Cambodia, expanding TOMS' geographic reach and impact areas.

In 2014, at the [[South by Southwest]] (SXSW) conference, Mycoskie announced the launch of TOMS Roasting Co., a coffee company that would donate a week of clean water access for every bag of coffee sold. The coffee was sourced through direct trade efforts in Rwanda, Honduras, Peru, Guatemala, and Malawi.

At the same time, Mycoskie announced plans to launch an additional One for One product every year, signaling ambitions to transform TOMS from a shoe company into a diversified social enterprise spanning multiple product categories and causes.

=== The book: ''Start Something That Matters'' ===

In 2011, Mycoskie published ''Start Something That Matters'', a book that articulated his philosophy of social entrepreneurship and provided guidance for others seeking to build purpose-driven businesses. The book described the TOMS journey, the principles underlying the One for One model, and broader arguments about the potential for businesses to create positive social impact.

For every copy of the book sold, Mycoskie promised to donate a children's book to a child in need—applying the One for One concept to the book itself. Initially, 50% of royalties were directed to a fund providing grants to emerging social entrepreneurs, and Mycoskie later increased this to 100%.

''Start Something That Matters'' became a ''New York Times'' bestselling business book and reached number one on the ''Times''' advice category list. The book's success extended Mycoskie's influence beyond TOMS' customers to aspiring entrepreneurs around the world, many of whom would cite TOMS as inspiration for their own social ventures.

=== Bain Capital sale ===

In June 2014, Mycoskie announced his intention to sell a portion of his stake in TOMS. On August 20, 2014, [[Bain Capital]] acquired 50% of the company in a transaction that reportedly valued TOMS at approximately $625 million. Media reports indicated that Mycoskie's personal wealth following the deal was approximately $300 million.

The transaction was essentially a [[leveraged buyout]], with TOMS taking on approximately $300 million in debt to finance the acquisition. The deal also marked a transition in leadership, with Mycoskie stepping back from day-to-day management while retaining a role as "Chief Shoe Giver"—a symbolic title reflecting his continued connection to the company's giving mission.

Mycoskie pledged to donate 50% of his proceeds from the sale to establish a fund supporting social entrepreneurship and other causes. Bain Capital committed to matching his contribution and to continuing the One for One business model.

At the time, the partnership seemed to offer TOMS the capital and operational expertise needed to scale globally while preserving the mission that had made the company distinctive. However, the debt burden would prove challenging as the market evolved.

== Controversies ==

=== Criticism of the One for One model ===

As TOMS grew in prominence, it also attracted significant criticism from development economists, international aid professionals, and other observers who questioned whether the One for One model effectively addressed poverty or might even cause harm.

The central criticism focused on economic disruption. By giving away shoes in developing countries, TOMS potentially undermined local shoemakers and vendors who depended on selling footwear for their livelihoods. Research cited by critics found that for roughly every 20 pairs of shoes donated into a community, local vendors sold approximately one fewer pair—suggesting that donations displaced local economic activity rather than supplementing it.

Broader studies on used clothing and product donations in African countries found that such imports explained approximately 40% of the decline in textile production and 50% of the decline in related employment between 1981 and 2000. While these studies weren't specifically about TOMS, critics argued that the dynamics were similar.

=== Questions about effectiveness ===

Researchers at the [[University of San Francisco]] published a study in January 2016 investigating whether shoe donations in rural El Salvador produced measurable improvements in health outcomes. After measuring general health and foot health indicators, the authors concluded that "the overall impact of the shoe donation program appears to be negligible."

Additional research found psychological and social concerns. One study noted that "in-kind donations may exhibit negative externalities on the psychology of recipients, unintentionally fostering a sense of dependency on outside donors." Researchers found "no evidence that the shoes exhibit any kind of life-changing impact, except for potentially making them [the recipients] feel somewhat more reliant on external aid."

These findings suggested that while TOMS made customers feel good about their purchases, the actual impact on recipients might be minimal or even counterproductive.

=== Marketing versus substance ===

Perhaps the most pointed critique was that the One for One model was more effective at marketing than at achieving social impact. Critics argued that TOMS "exploited the idea of Ethiopian poverty as a marketing tool" (as garment-industry author Kelsey Timmerman reported some Ethiopian informants feeling) while providing benefits that were more symbolic than substantive.

The alternative proposed by critics was straightforward: rather than giving shoes, create jobs. As Ethiopian shoe company SoleRebels founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu summarized: "If you give a kid shoes, they wear out or they grow out of them, and then what do they have? If you give the kid's parents a job, the whole family will always have shoes."

=== TOMS' responses and evolution ===

In response to criticism, TOMS made several adjustments. The company moved 40% of its shoe production for donation to countries where it actively gave, creating manufacturing jobs in recipient communities. Mycoskie himself acknowledged the validity of some critiques, stating: "If you really are serious about poverty alleviation, our critics said, then you need to create jobs."

More fundamentally, in 2019, TOMS announced it would no longer follow the One for One model that had defined the company since its founding. Chief Giving Officer Amy Smith announced that instead of donating shoes, TOMS would give one-third of its annual profits to local community-focused organizations. The shift represented a fundamental reconception of the company's charitable approach, moving from product donations to financial support for grassroots organizations.

=== Focus on the Family controversy ===

In July 2011, Mycoskie participated in an event sponsored by [[Focus on the Family]], a socially conservative Christian nonprofit organization that has opposed same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights. The participation generated significant criticism from customers and supporters who felt that association with Focus on the Family conflicted with TOMS' progressive brand identity.

Mycoskie subsequently posted an apology on his website, stating that neither he nor his team had been aware of Focus on the Family's positions before agreeing to participate and that the decision to participate was a mistake. The incident highlighted the challenges of maintaining a values-based brand and the scrutiny that public figures associated with social causes face regarding their other affiliations and activities.

=== Financial struggles and loss of ownership ===

Despite the infusion of capital from Bain Capital in 2014, TOMS struggled in subsequent years. The company faced heavy discounting pressure and increased competition in the footwear market. The novelty of the One for One model, which had initially differentiated TOMS, wore off as consumers became accustomed to purpose-driven brands and as competitors adopted similar charitable components.

Credit rating agencies warned that TOMS would not be able to repay the $300 million loan taken out during the Bain Capital deal. The company carried one of [[Moody's]] lowest credit ratings, indicating high risk of default, and [[Fitch Ratings]] placed TOMS on its "loans of concern" list.

In December 2019, TOMS' creditors—including [[Jefferies Financial Group]], Nexus Capital Management, and [[Brookfield Asset Management]]—took ownership of the company in an out-of-court restructuring. The deal reduced TOMS' debt burden but required Bain Capital and Blake Mycoskie to surrender their equity stakes.

Mycoskie, who had founded the company and built it into a globally recognized brand valued at over $600 million just five years earlier, was left with no ownership in the company he had created. The outcome represented a cautionary tale about the risks of leverage, competitive dynamics in retail, and the challenges of sustaining consumer interest in purpose-driven brands over time.

== Post-TOMS career ==

=== Madefor ===

Following the loss of TOMS, Mycoskie pivoted to a new venture in the wellness space. In March 2020, he co-founded Madefor with Pat Dossett, a Navy SEAL veteran and performance coach.

Madefor is a subscription-based wellness program designed to help users develop sustainable habits for physical and mental health. The program is structured around monthly "kit" deliveries that combine educational content with physical tools for tracking progress and implementing behavioral changes. The curriculum draws on principles from neuroscience, psychology, and physiology to guide users through incremental habit formation.

The timing of Madefor's launch—coinciding with the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]—proved fortuitous, as millions of people suddenly found themselves working from home and seeking tools for managing stress, maintaining routines, and improving wellbeing during an unprecedented period of uncertainty.

=== Shark Tank appearances ===

Mycoskie has appeared as a guest shark on ''[[Shark Tank]]'', the ABC reality competition series where entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to wealthy investors. He was featured in Season 12, which premiered in October 2020.

On the show, Mycoskie has invested in several companies that align with his focus on social entrepreneurship and purpose-driven business. Notable investments include Touch Up Cup, a product that simplifies paint touch-ups, for which Mycoskie acquired a 17.5% stake for $150,000.

Mycoskie has also pursued deals that didn't ultimately close, including a joint offer with [[Daymond John]] for Rumpl, a company making blankets from recycled plastic. The entrepreneur declined the sharks' offer when they requested higher equity than he was willing to give.

Beyond specific investments made on television, Mycoskie has invested in numerous social enterprises through a Social Entrepreneurship Fund he established using proceeds from the Bain Capital sale. The fund has supported over 25 mission-driven startups, extending his influence and the TOMS philosophy to a new generation of purpose-driven companies.

=== Speaking and thought leadership ===

Mycoskie has maintained a significant presence as a speaker and thought leader on social entrepreneurship and purpose-driven business. He has delivered talks at major conferences and corporate events, sharing lessons from the TOMS journey and advocating for business models that integrate social impact into commercial operations.

His speaking engagements and media appearances have allowed him to shape the conversation around social entrepreneurship even after losing ownership of the company that made him famous. The ''Start Something That Matters'' book continues to sell and influence aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to build businesses with positive social impact.

== Personal life ==

=== Marriage and family ===

Blake Mycoskie married Heather Lang in 2012. The couple had two children together: a son named Summit and a daughter named Charlie. The marriage ended in divorce in 2020, coinciding with Mycoskie's loss of TOMS and the launch of Madefor.

Following his divorce, Mycoskie relocated to [[Jackson, Wyoming]], a resort town in the scenic [[Jackson Hole]] valley near [[Grand Teton National Park]] and [[Yellowstone National Park]]. The area is known for attracting outdoor enthusiasts and wealthy individuals seeking a connection to nature and a respite from urban life.

=== Outdoor interests ===

Mycoskie is an avid participant in various outdoor and athletic pursuits. He is a dedicated golfer and fly fisherman, activities well-suited to his Wyoming residence. He also surfs, rock climbs, and plays polo—reflecting diverse athletic interests and the resources to pursue them.

His passion for outdoor activities led to investments in related businesses, including Urban Golf Performance and [[Athletic Brewing Company]], a producer of non-alcoholic craft beers that has become popular among health-conscious consumers.

=== Philanthropy ===

Beyond the business-integrated giving model of TOMS, Mycoskie has engaged in personal philanthropy. He provides financial support to Wubetu Shimelash, a young Ethiopian boy whose education he has sponsored.

Mycoskie is a signatory of [[The Giving Pledge]], the commitment initiated by [[Warren Buffett]] and [[Bill Gates]] through which wealthy individuals pledge to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. His participation reflects a commitment to philanthropy that extends beyond his business ventures.

== Awards and recognition ==

* Cannes LionHeart Award (2016)
* Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Next Generation Award (2015)
* ''USA Today'' "Five Best Communicators in the World" (2013)
* ISPA Humanitarian Award (2013)
* ''Fortune'' "40 Under 40" (2011)
* ABC News Person of the Week (2011)
* Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (2009)
* ''Bloomberg Businessweek'' "America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs" (2008)
* ''People'' magazine "Heroes Among Us" (2007)
* People's Design Award, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (2007)

== Published works ==

* ''Start Something That Matters'' (2011)

== See also ==

* [[TOMS Shoes]]
* [[Social entrepreneurship]]
* [[The Amazing Race 2]]
* [[Shark Tank]]
* [[Buy one, give one]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.toms.com TOMS official website]
* [https://www.madefor.co Madefor official website]

[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:Social entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:American business writers]]
[[Category:The Amazing Race (American TV series) contestants]]
[[Category:Shark Tank]]
[[Category:Southern Methodist University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Arlington, Texas]]
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Blake Mycoskie - Revision history

Maintenance script: Created comprehensive CEO article for TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie