Even founder Blake Mycoskie has never answered this question publicly.
A little over two weeks ago, Mycoskie was invited to South by Southwest in Austin to speak about his company where he addressed some of the most frequently asked questions: How did you get the name TOMS and what's next?
I was more interested in the latter question. What is next for TOMS? Where is it going to be in a few years from now? How is it going to continue its success?
I would be lying if I didn't ever wonder, "What happens when TOMS goes out of style." While I know each pair of shoes represents something much larger than the shoes itself, I also know many people wear them simply because they look nice. Things that look nice sometimes go out of fashion, and that's the end of TOMS shoes. If I thought about it, I'm sure Mycoskie has too. And he has.
Mycoskie began thinking outside the box when he read the book Poke the Box by Seth Godin. He realized after reading that "Everywhere around us, there are rules. We’re taught to fit in, to sit quietly and raise our hands, to not cause trouble, and to cautiously make sure that we never make mistakes. But in a world that’s constantly changing, Seth says that we need to approach work and life from a different perspective. We need to be creators. We need to question, improve, tinker, instigate, venture into the unknown, and pick ourselves up when things don’t go right."
I've always believed that intelligence is a measure of creativity. Most of us can follow a book, memorize a fact or two, and regurgitate what we learned in class, but a few can create and invent and start something with the knowledge we have. To apply what's inside of us and allow the world to see it makes companies like TOMS exist.
It appears that's exactly what Mycoskie now wants to do with his company. He states it best by saying that he no longer wants TOMS to be known as a shoe company, but rather as a One-for-One company, helping countries meet their needs.
Yes, needs that exceed beyond shoes.
On June 7, Mycoskie and the rest of the TOMS team will reveal all across the nation the next One-for-One product that customers will buy and the impoverished will receive. The shoes have been powerful, but there are other needs out there, and Myscokie knows his company can become larger and meet greater levels.
This realization occurred on of his shoe-drops in Africa. They were there to drop off 50,000 pairs of shoes where he witnessed extreme poverty. These shoes would be the first for many of them and would even save the lives for some. Myscokie remembers thinking that, "Wow, it's really working. These shoes are powerful. It's actually helping someone's life."
Yet, Myscoskie also realized something else. They were living in extreme poverty. Shoes was only one aspect that TOMS was helping in, and Myscokie wanted to do more. He wanted to "poke the box."
I can't imagine what the next product will be. I keep thinking about what was it that Mycoskie saw in Africa that day that made him think of the next product. Perhaps it's blankets or kitchen utensils or even bath products such as soap or clean water. I'm not sure what it will be, but I know along with many others are eagerly waiting to hear about the next product on June 7!
It's good to know that Mycoskie isn't wanting to settle. He sees a need, and he is going for it. That's a mentality I fight to have everyday- to never settle and to keep going. I know it's hard work, but it will be so awarding that one day when Mycoskie is back in Africa and not only delivering shoes, but so many other things. Changing lives every day. I can't wait.
Here's the video link of Mycoskie's speech in Austin. What do you think is hiding behind his box? I think it may the next TOMS soap?
A little over two weeks ago, Mycoskie was invited to South by Southwest in Austin to speak about his company where he addressed some of the most frequently asked questions: How did you get the name TOMS and what's next?
I was more interested in the latter question. What is next for TOMS? Where is it going to be in a few years from now? How is it going to continue its success?
I would be lying if I didn't ever wonder, "What happens when TOMS goes out of style." While I know each pair of shoes represents something much larger than the shoes itself, I also know many people wear them simply because they look nice. Things that look nice sometimes go out of fashion, and that's the end of TOMS shoes. If I thought about it, I'm sure Mycoskie has too. And he has.
Mycoskie began thinking outside the box when he read the book Poke the Box by Seth Godin. He realized after reading that "Everywhere around us, there are rules. We’re taught to fit in, to sit quietly and raise our hands, to not cause trouble, and to cautiously make sure that we never make mistakes. But in a world that’s constantly changing, Seth says that we need to approach work and life from a different perspective. We need to be creators. We need to question, improve, tinker, instigate, venture into the unknown, and pick ourselves up when things don’t go right."
I've always believed that intelligence is a measure of creativity. Most of us can follow a book, memorize a fact or two, and regurgitate what we learned in class, but a few can create and invent and start something with the knowledge we have. To apply what's inside of us and allow the world to see it makes companies like TOMS exist.
It appears that's exactly what Mycoskie now wants to do with his company. He states it best by saying that he no longer wants TOMS to be known as a shoe company, but rather as a One-for-One company, helping countries meet their needs.
Yes, needs that exceed beyond shoes.
On June 7, Mycoskie and the rest of the TOMS team will reveal all across the nation the next One-for-One product that customers will buy and the impoverished will receive. The shoes have been powerful, but there are other needs out there, and Myscokie knows his company can become larger and meet greater levels.
This realization occurred on of his shoe-drops in Africa. They were there to drop off 50,000 pairs of shoes where he witnessed extreme poverty. These shoes would be the first for many of them and would even save the lives for some. Myscokie remembers thinking that, "Wow, it's really working. These shoes are powerful. It's actually helping someone's life."
Yet, Myscoskie also realized something else. They were living in extreme poverty. Shoes was only one aspect that TOMS was helping in, and Myscokie wanted to do more. He wanted to "poke the box."
I can't imagine what the next product will be. I keep thinking about what was it that Mycoskie saw in Africa that day that made him think of the next product. Perhaps it's blankets or kitchen utensils or even bath products such as soap or clean water. I'm not sure what it will be, but I know along with many others are eagerly waiting to hear about the next product on June 7!
It's good to know that Mycoskie isn't wanting to settle. He sees a need, and he is going for it. That's a mentality I fight to have everyday- to never settle and to keep going. I know it's hard work, but it will be so awarding that one day when Mycoskie is back in Africa and not only delivering shoes, but so many other things. Changing lives every day. I can't wait.
Here's the video link of Mycoskie's speech in Austin. What do you think is hiding behind his box? I think it may the next TOMS soap?
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