TOMS Shoes

TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie is a young social entrepreneur, and TOMS Shoes is a wonderful example for young people looking to build a successful business and change the world at the same time.

TOMS Shoes is best known for its One for One Movement. For every shoe that TOMS Shoes sells, they donate a pair of shoes to a child in a developing country. So far, they have donated over a million pairs of shoes in Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa and 20 other countries around the world. TOMS Shoes has also recently teamed up with Element Skateboards to donate skateboards along with the shoes.

Having philanthropy as a part of a business plan is unusual, but what makes TOMS Shoes really special is their use of video, blogging, and social media in promoting their work. On their website, they have a video series of company updates called Inside HQ accompanying their written blog. Most of the videos deal with the One for One Movement and show the company’s shoe drops, but there are a few fun videos including an April Fool’s Day joke on Blake Mycoskie and the company’s birthday picnic.

TOMS Shoes has also used Twitter and Facebook to keep their supporters in the loop on their activities. On Twitter, fans of TOMS Shoes can give feedback and read about upcoming shoe drops, deals on the website, and new shoe designs. Their Facebook page supplements the Twitter account and gives fans instant news updates, more pictures from TOMS Shoes headquarters, and invites to TOMS Shoes’ sponsored events.

To read more about TOMS Shoes and purchase shoes from their online store, go to their website at http://www.toms.com. Watch TOMS Shoes Inside HQ’s video about TOMS Shoes using environmentally sustainable practices.