In our world some of the best moments are the ones that aren’t planned at all. For some people that may be waking up to a pair of brand new shoes after spending a lifetime of roaming around barefoot. For others, opening their eyes and discovering that those blurry green patches aren’t patches, but rather trees that can be seen using a brand new pair of prescribed glasses. And even the luxury of drinking a clean and fresh glass of water.
One person who has made the unexpected, a reality for many people across the world is Blake Mycoskie the founder of the world renowned brand, TOMS shoes. From his childhood Blake faced the challenge of growing up without shoes which served as his motivation and inspiration to create a plan to give back to the community in terms of helping others around the world who may be facing the same challenges as he once did.
With a powerful purpose in play, he created a business plan called the one for one model; for each pair of shoes purchased another would be donated to a child in need across the world. 60 million pairs of TOMS shoes have travelled to over 70 different countries though humanitarian organizations since 2006. Not only do these shoes provide safety for children but the also provide job opportunities for adults in the country in terms of producing the shoes distributed in the area.
Their campaign began by spreading the word by #without shoes underneath posted photos of bare feet. This initiated a social media outbreak raising awareness about children’s health and education in different countries.
Alongside providing shoes, TOMS also launched an eyewear line to help individuals with impaired vision across the world. For each set of eyewear purchased bifocal lenses, prescribed glasses, medical treatment and eye surgery was provided for over 400,000 people in more than 13 different countries.
In 2014, TOMS released an coffee line known as TOMS roast Co. Coffee, which directly trades premium coffee for clean water. This line provided 335,000 weeks of safe drinking water in 6 different countries; each individual received approximately 140 litres of safe water- a weeks supply.
Additionally, the TOMS bag collection proceeds targeted safe birth delivery in pregnant women. The mission of the launch was to provide training to birth attendants and distribute birthing kids to ensure women undergo a safe delivery. This collection supported over 250,000 mothers during their delivery period.
Their mission has raised awareness towards global issues and further turned the brand into a movement which helps address poverty across the world by attending to the needs of children in regards to education, healthcare and economic opportunity.
When thinking of the brand TOMS, what comes to mind isn’t merely a pair of shoes, but rather the purpose behind it all; the idea that you have the ability to make a difference from halfway across the world by purchasing something you desire.
fashion & social change 