TOM'S: Kicks with soul

TOM'S: Canvas shoes with soul
Blake Mycoski, founder of TOM'S shoes, has a business plan right out of the Golden Rule handbook.

While visiting a poor village in Argentina a couple of years ago, he was shaken by the realities of poverty, including the scads of children who couldn't afford any kind of footwear.

Replicating the traditional farmer's shoe style called alpargatas, Blake created TOM'S, the inexpensive canvas shoe with one very important detail that separates it from other cotton slip-ons. For every pair of TOM'S you buy, Blake will donate a pair to a child in need. It's that simple. Shoes come in a variety of colors and patterns and start at only $42.

After only 2 years, the "shoe drop" has expanded and now includes Africa and parts of Asia.

Additionally, the TOM'S brand offers the Feed bag. At only $65, this canvas tote will help to feed, educate, and shelter an impoverished child for a year.

Hopefully, by supporting the TOM'S brand, we will encourage other designers and entrepreneurs to incorporate philanthropy into their product.

www.TomsShoes.com




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