“Start Something That Matters,” by Blake Mycoskie

“Start Something That Matters,” written by the founder and “Chief Shoe Giver” of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie, is on bookshelves throughout the Missouri State community as the 2013-14 common reader. This No. 1 New York Times best seller highlights Mycoskie’s many of his successful business strategies such as selling a story instead of just a product. Mycoskie also lets readers in on the secrets of some more creative business strategies that helped TOMS thrive despite its small startup capital and mission to give from the very beginning. Other successful entrepreneurs who have changed their industries through creativity and vision are also highlighted throughout the book.

Mycoskie was a serial entrepreneur before inspiration for TOMS struck on a 2006 trip through Argentina. He is a pioneer of the “One for One” business model in which for-profit companies operate on a social basis, donating an item for each item sold. In fact, for every copy of “Start Something That Matters” sold, a new children’s book will be donated through FirstBook.org. His efforts have earned him many accolades, including the Secretary of State’s 2009 Award of Corporate Excellence, a feature in People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us” section, and a spot on the 2011 Fortune magazine “40 Under 40” list. 

Mycoskie will be the featured lecturer at the Public Affairs Convocation at Missouri State on Nov. 11. This event is free and open to the public. Find out more at http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/PublicAffairsConvocation. Mycoskie previously appeared as the Public Affairs Convocation lecturer in 2010.