all cities
categories
popular
Altruism Inc. | TOMS
Friday, May 11, 2012 - Valerie McTavish
One for One, Head to Toe
Business is business. The name of the game is to make money and as much of it as you can. But there are some businesses that incorporate altruism into their bottom line. We call that good business and we want to celebrate those companies that give back. In our column, Altruism Inc. we introduce you to businesses that are using their profits to benefit other people and the planet.
We don’t know about you, but a close second to shopping for shoes are sunglasses.
We’ve long loved TOMS on our feet. Now we can wear TOMS on our faces with the launch of TOMS eyewear. We’ll be rocking the One for OneTM movement from head-to-toe.
Known for their ground breaking One for OneTM approach to charity, TOMS was imagined during an inspirational trip to Argentina. It was 2006 when founder Blake Mycoskie noticed the children he met didn’t have shoes. This sparked an idea. He started TOMS shoe company with the premise of donating one pair for every pair bought.
Charity wasn’t an afterthought for this company, it was the foundation.
Not too long ago, somewhere in a developing nation, a child was fitted with the one millionth pair of donated shoes. You’d think this would give TOMS a good reason to kick back and put their feet up. But they already had their sights on the next step.
Following that milestone, they promptly launched a line of sunglasses. In keeping with their One for One approach they donate a pair of shades for every pair sold. We know what you’re thinking – why do kids in developing nations need stylish shades? Good thing TOMS is smart. While you’ll be turning heads in your blue and white branded sunnies they’ll be fitting a child with corrective eye glasses.
The program began with kids in Nepal, Tibet and Cambodia but the company soon realized they were being short sighted. Seeing the problems right under their noses, they also started to donate glasses to American kids in need.
With shoes on their feet and corrected sight, kids around the world can walk to school safely and see the chalk board when they get there.
Looks like their future’s so bright, we’ll have to wear shades.
-
Shop online using their ‘virtual try-on’ tool to get the perfect fit for your face.
Need more inspiration? Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shares what motivated them to develop the TOMS Eyewear line.
--
Valerie McTavish is a professional writer and video producer living ‘the good life’ in Kelowna, BC. She’s a long-time decision evader which she satisfies by letting a roll of the dice deliver her to spontaneous fun. Follow her adventures by chance at www.zufalladventures.com.
