START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS by Blake Mycoskie: On Sale September 6

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The incredible story of the man behind TOMS and One for One ™, the revolutionary business model that matches social good with sales. Blake Mycoskie never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail but he created one of the most iconic companies in the world by giving new shoes to children in need.

This is a book that will make you think differently about the work you do, the products you buy, and the difference one person can make. Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS, and in his first book, he offers his own amazing story of success, inspiration, and the power of one idea: to provide new shoes to children in need.

Blake became interested in creating a for-profit business that at its center could support a sustainable way of giving that would address ongoing needs worldwide. It all started several years ago, when after selling his fourth start-up, Blake visited Argentina, and was shocked to see the number of children unable to afford shoes. This simple fact changed his life forever. He left Argentina determined to return and hand deliver thousands of new shoes to these children, protecting them from potential diseases, providing access to education, or allowing them to walk to collect clean drinking water—all basic needs that most of us take for granted. Shortly after that trip, Blake created TOMS, which began with shoes and recently launched a second product, eyewear, to address another global need: vision.

In START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS, Blake addresses the following:

• What matters most to people?
• Should one focus on earning a living, pursuing passions, or devoting oneself to the causes that inspire?
• The surprising truth is that one doesn't have to choose—and that people might find more success if they don't.
• How to work through fear and failure and how other entrepreneurs have done the same. 
• Important lessons from Zappos, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle, among many other incredible organizations.
• One doesn't have to be rich to give back.
• One doesn't have to retire to spend every day doing what you love.
• One can find profit, passion, and meaning all at once.  

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS shows the evolution of a company that started out modestly in a small Los Angeles apartment and then went on to become a global movement -- one of the fastest growing companies in the world. Praised by Bill Clinton as "one of the most interesting entrepreneurs [he'd] ever met," Blake lives on a sailboat in Los Angeles, and holds the title of Chief Shoe Giver. In this new memoir, he shares his transformation from a "regular business guy," motivated primarily by profit, into one of the emerging leaders in Conscious Capitalism. Blake also presents the six simple keys to creating and transforming one's life and business, from discovering one's core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of a person's life. 

Blake's philosophy offers a new way of thinking about success, defined by creating work that simultaneously fulfills our hunger for material success, philanthropic impact, and personal meaning. Blake's story will inspire a wide range of people: youth just beginning their careers and hoping to make a difference; those who want to change careers to something more meaningful; and leaders who want to take on the challenges of changing the world of business to make it a culture that is passionate, creative and ultimately capable of making the world a better place.

In keeping with the TOMS One for One ™ philosophy, with every copy of START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS purchased, TOMS will provide a new book to a child in need. One for One. TOMS will give new books through the innovative non-profit First Book (FirstBook.org) to children in the United States.

Learn more about this exciting project at http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/.

CONTACT: Barbara Fillon
Deputy Publicity Director
Random House Publishing Group
212.572.4995 [email protected]

SOURCE TOMS

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