Hardware Podcasts

TOMS: Blake Mycoskie (2019)

How I Built This · 11 Feb 2019 · 53m

What this episode covers

Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, recounts his journey from four early startups—including Easy Laundry and Wallscape—to creating the 'One for One' shoe model after a trip to Argentina. He details the rapid scaling of TOMS, from selling 250 prototype alpargatas to managing a viral launch driven by an LA Times feature and a Vogue spread. Mycoskie also discusses the operational challenges of manufacturing, the impact of an AT&T commercial, and his eventual sale of half the company to private equity in 2014.

Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Easy Laundry, Wallscape, Clear Channel, Reality Central, American Rag, AT&T, Gamer's Gift
Products
TOMS
Also
LA Times, Vogue

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