Author Topic: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie  (Read 21947 times)

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Offline theschnauzers

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TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« on: January 06, 2012, 01:20:23 PM »
Doesn't seem to be a current Racers thread for them, and I needed one to pass along this interview with Blake published today in The Wall Street Journal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204632204577131031031671906.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

And since the WSJ often sits behind a pay wall, here's the interview itself:

Quote
Sole Man Blake Mycoskie
The TOMS Shoes founder on business, Buddhism and breakfast burritos

Although he's the founder of TOMS Shoes, the company that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold, his name isn't Tom. Social entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie named his for-profit company after his original charitable inspiration, "Shoes for a Better Tomorrow," which eventually became "Tomorrow's Shoes," and then "TOMS." The Californian eschews traditional titles, referring to himself as "chief shoe giver"—a deserving moniker for someone who's donated over one million pairs in less than five years. More Indiana Jones than corporate CEO, he travels the globe on TOMS's "shoe drops," in which he and a team distribute footwear to kids in underprivileged areas in South Africa, Haiti, Rwanda, Cambodia and elsewhere. Back at home, he lives on a boat docked in Marina del Rey.

Mr. Mycoskie's twist on capitalism has drawn recognition from business and philanthropic luminaries including Bill Clinton and Bill Gates. Like Mr. Gates, he left college to develop his own business—a campus laundry service. Three more businesses followed before he took a trip to Argentina in 2006 and discovered the area's traditional Alpargata cloth slide-on. This shoe would became the prototype for the now-famous TOMS shoe, which has been featured in Vogue, Elle and W, and is sold everywhere from Neiman Marcus to Whole Foods.

Recently, TOMS expanded its one-for-one platform to include sunglasses. For each pair of shades purchased, TOMS will help restore the sight of a child through prescription glasses, medical care or surgery. Mr. Mycoskie is also taking his prescription for success to print with his new book, "Start Something That Matters" (Random House). We caught up with the 35-year-old by phone as he dashed between meetings in New York.

I credit my grandmother for my sense of style. She was known for wearing bright, outrageous things because it made people happy and she thought it made her more approachable. When you wear a brightly colored shirt or pants, it shows you don't take yourself too seriously and it puts everyone around you at ease.

I always have my journal with me. It was handmade by a guy at the San Telmo market in Buenos Aires. If you go there he can make you one. It's leather and bronze and I'm able to replace the paper when it runs out. It has a lion on the cover that I say is there to protect my thoughts.

Of all my travels, the one place I want to go back to is New Zealand. I was there when I competed on the "The Amazing Race" and it was the most breathtaking place I've ever seen. My girlfriend and I are planning on sailing from California to New Zealand next year.

The best headphones are Beats by Dr. Dre. Music is such an important part of my life. I take them everywhere.

My favorite song, at least in the last five years, is "Truth," by Balmorhea. I made a copy of it and sent it to everyone on my Christmas list last year.

I always travel with Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo. I often go places with no running water and when my hair gets greasy and I can't shower. It's my go-to.

My favorite hotel in the world is Estancia Vik in Uruguay. It's a colonial-style ranch that has polo, fly fishing, sailing and more. I love that local artists decorated the rooms and grounds.

I'm obsessed with Alpha Khaki pants from Dockers. They have a nice thickness and are the best-fitting pant I've ever had.

I have a collection of plaid pants and I love the ones made by Trovata. I wore them when I had the opportunity to visit the White House under both Presidents Bush and Obama.

I don't often wear suits, but when I do they are from Band of Outsiders. They also make my favorite shirts. I find their clothes have a terrific fit.

I make a great breakfast burrito using eggs, hash browns, avocado, cheese and veggie sausage.

My favorite restaurant is Gjelina in L.A. I love the truffle mushroom pizza.

For about seven years I've worn a simple black Swatch watch. It's dependable, waterproof and I think it is a nice understatement.

I moved onto my boat 4˝ years ago because I wanted to live on the water in Los Angeles and, as a primary residence, a boat is relatively inexpensive. Plus, it allowed me to press the reset button and get rid of things I didn't need or want. She is a Jeanneau 53, named Satori, which is a Japanese Buddhist term for enlightenment.

The one thing I use the most, especially living on a boat, is my brightly colored Paul Smith striped robe. When I wake up in the morning, I go have coffee on the dock and do a lot of my morning calls in it.

My favorite sheets are by Sheex. They have amazing technology that helps with moisture and temperature control.

I try and sweat everyday even though I can't always get to the gym. I do a lot of running, which is a great way to see a city, and I try to bike to work. For strength training, especially if I'm in a hotel, I use TRX resistance training, which you can just lock onto any door. I wear Asics long distance running shoes.

I love my 1964 bright-red Ford F-100. Everything moves so fast with technology in my life now, so it's nice to wake up and get in a great old car.

Two of my favorite books are "Let My People Go Surfing," by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, and "Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us," by Seth Godin. I have every employee at TOMS read both books because they reflect the culture of our business. I believe that if you think of your community and customers as a tribe or movement, it creates a magic that's so important for the business.

The best road trip I've ever taken was the drive down Chile from Santiago to Patagonia. While passing the most pristine countryside and glaciers, I came across an old rusted sign on the road that read "reducir velocidad" ("slow down"). I pulled over and took a picture because I thought it really meant something prophetic. I made 700 copies of that picture and sent it to my friends and influential people that support TOMS. People still tell me that picture sits on their desks and reminds them to slow down and enjoy life.
—Edited from an interview by Kelsey Hubbard

« Last Edit: July 21, 2015, 10:18:04 PM by theschnauzers »
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Offline apskip

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2012, 05:58:49 AM »
I like Blake Mycoskie, but that interview is a bit "over the top." He is a walking product endorser. I did like his travel recommendations, which are about places rather than products.


Offline theschnauzers

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2012, 04:16:19 PM »
Apskip, I think the mentioning of specific products has a lot to do with the questions he was asked by the WSJ writer. Given that it is the premiere business daily in the U.S., and that kind of question reflects their mindset under the News Corporation umbrella, it really isn't surprising.
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Offline Rainyathena

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2012, 09:39:01 PM »
After watching amazing race 2, i really have no respect for Blake and Paige.  They are so full of themselves.  They are constantly judging other people and lie to their face.  I understand it's a conpetition, but there are stand up ways to compete and are the weasel way to compete and they fall in the latter category for me. 

Offline Declive

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2012, 09:57:22 PM »
 :bigwelcome to RFF , Rainyathena!!
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Offline Prophet

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2012, 07:45:00 AM »
Physics alone is not enough.

Those who forget history are sure to repeat it.

Offline 2old4tech

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2012, 12:31:03 PM »
After watching amazing race 2, i really have no respect for Blake and Paige.  They are so full of themselves.  They are constantly judging other people and lie to their face.  I understand it's a conpetition, but there are stand up ways to compete and are the weasel way to compete and they fall in the latter category for me.

Not Race related, but IMO Blake is one of the good guys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOMS_Shoes

Offline redskevin88

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2012, 03:56:51 AM »
After watching amazing race 2, i really have no respect for Blake and Paige.  They are so full of themselves.  They are constantly judging other people and lie to their face.  I understand it's a conpetition, but there are stand up ways to compete and are the weasel way to compete and they fall in the latter category for me.

Not Race related, but IMO Blake is one of the good guys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOMS_Shoes

comment deleted
« Last Edit: April 08, 2012, 10:09:58 PM by redskevin88 »

Offline coolio

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2012, 10:30:00 AM »
After watching amazing race 2, i really have no respect for Blake and Paige.  They are so full of themselves.  They are constantly judging other people and lie to their face.  I understand it's a conpetition, but there are stand up ways to compete and are the weasel way to compete and they fall in the latter category for me.

Not Race related, but IMO Blake is one of the good guys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOMS_Shoes

Al Capone ran a soup kitchen also.
2old4tech, this is the part where you say touche my friend, touche.  :lol:

Offline Best Loser

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2012, 07:29:38 PM »
Let's not compare a team in the Amazing Race to someone like Al Capone, Ok?


Offline theschnauzers

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2012, 09:16:07 PM »
There doesn't really seem to be a great place to post this, but since TOMS is Blake's company, I'll put this here and in the AI thread.
Apparently TOMS had a "Day Without Shoes" a couple of weeks ago (April 10th), and both Colton Dixon and Phillip Phillips joined in
http://t.co/qMJCZY0m
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Offline CamBlight

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2012, 03:17:00 PM »
Blake's gotten a bad rap lately but I think the guy is doing great things with the TOMS One for One model - it really opens some doors for businesses to give back which I LOVE. This article I read talks about how Blake Mycoskie incorporated One for One into his book sales too, giving a book to a child for every book sold - thought that was pretty cool. He's supposedly starting a Start Something That Matters Fund where 50% of his book sales goes into the fund and people can present their idea/business plan and get a chance to receive start up funding.

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1678486/toms-shoes-ceo-blake-mycoskie-on-social-entrepreneurship-telling-stories-and-his-new-book

Offline Kacper

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2012, 03:41:16 PM »
It reminds me...this is a link for an interview Blake had on the "Ellen Degeneres Show" last year in October.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57TOTx5UEpA
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Offline inomu

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2012, 03:50:33 PM »
For Blake

 :lol:

Offline Daniel

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Re: Blake and Paige Mycoskie TAR 2
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2013, 09:11:52 AM »
Saw Blake's book on the 'best sellers' section earlier today.
Didn't know he wrote a book. Congrats Blake! :conf:
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She's really pissed that we're asking her because she has BUSINESS to do.

Offline Slowhatch

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2016, 01:53:40 AM »
Adam Conover takes aim at the BOGO (buy one, give one) philanthropy model here.

Offline selfeviction

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #16 on: June 19, 2018, 10:09:11 PM »
Just finished watching TAR 2, absolutely loved them, even though they were considered the "villains".

Offline BourkieBoy

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #17 on: June 19, 2018, 10:15:48 PM »
Just finished watching TAR 2, absolutely loved them, even though they were considered the "villains".

How on earth could they be villains? ???

Offline selfeviction

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #18 on: June 19, 2018, 10:40:43 PM »
Just finished watching TAR 2, absolutely loved them, even though they were considered the "villains".

How on earth could they be villains? ???
I'm not sure, I guess because of them not waking the Grannies up when they were late, Blake being sneaky etc

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #19 on: June 19, 2018, 11:20:44 PM »
Just finished watching TAR 2, absolutely loved them, even though they were considered the "villains".

How on earth could they be villains? ???
I'm not sure, I guess because of them not waking the Grannies up when they were late, Blake being sneaky etc
Well it’s not his fault and it’s the game like the grannies overselpt so it’s their own fault not Blake’s


Offline theschnauzers

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #20 on: November 20, 2018, 01:07:53 AM »
Blake appeared on Jimmy Fallon tonight and announced that after the recent gun violence in Thousand Oaks California, TOMS is evolving its giving model to go beyond the shoe gifting they have been doing since its founding to contribute money and resources to important issues. The Krstic such contribution is a record breaking corporate gift of $5 million to the campaign to end gun violence. They have also invented a process through TOMS.com to permit every American who wishes to do so to mail a personalized post card to their member of Congress to seek passage of universal background check laws. Blake noted that this has support of 90 percent of the American public (true stat).

And this inventiveness and passion is what I’ve come to expect of Blake.
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Offline georgiapeach

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #21 on: September 21, 2020, 02:23:51 PM »
Blake Mycoskie Is going to be a SHARK TANK  Shark!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4386133201427747&extid=2MxFqxsCH9Kq3XV1
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Offline Maanca

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Re: TAR 2:Blake and Paige Mycoskie
« Reply #22 on: September 21, 2020, 02:53:40 PM »
That's awesome :) He once said TAR is part of what inspired him to start TOMS Shoes.