Special-edition, Congolese-inspired TOMS Shoes
We're teaming up with Giving Partner Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), an advocacy and grant-making organization founded by Ben Affleck, on two Congolese-inspired designs with an additional give. Read More >>
TOMS x charity: water - An Eyewer collaboration
TOMS and charity: water, an organization founded in 2006 (like TOMS!) that’s dedicated to to helping bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations, join forces for the first-ever TOMS Eyewear collab! Read More >>
Giving TOMS Shoes in the DRC
Founded by Ben Affleck in 2010, ECI is an advocacy and grant-making organization that works with and for the people of DRC, the third most populous country in Africa, and one that struggled under a cycle of violence for nearly 20 years – particularly in the east. Read More >>
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Top 10 Moments – Start Something That Matters Launch
The past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind – with stops in NYC, LA, Dallas and DC, countless interview & book signings, and 4AM wakeup calls. Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve felt more excitement for TOMS and from people inspired by Start Something That Matters than I could have ever imagined. Simply put, it’s been an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
I thought I’d put together a little Top Ten List of other things that stand out from the Start Something That Matters Launch…
10. Getting a wonderful review in The Wall Street Journal. What is so great about this review is the writer started out as a skeptic, but changed his mind, not just about the book, but more importantly about the TOMS business model.
9. Opening the speaking tour at Fordham University in New York, where 500+ students came to the event despite a torrential downpour.
8. Boarding a flight at JFK and seeing a business-class passenger reading the book, just one day after SSTM launched!
7. Hearing from friends, family and the TOMS community about how much they’ve genuinely enjoyed the book. One friend sent me an email that said, “I read Start Something That Matters in one sitting and dog-earred practically every page!!! Not something I usually do to my books.” The screenshot below makes me so happy :)
6. Speaking at the Los Angeles Public Library’s ALOUD Series with my dear friend, and GOOD Magazine founder, Ben Goldhirsh.
5. Hosting an event at the magnificent home of my friends Lana and Barry Andrews in Dallas.
4. Speaking at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in DC
Sixth and I is one of the oldest synagogues in the Washington DC, and it was a truly magnificent setting. The temple has hosted events for politicians, artists, comedians, academics, filmmakers, actors, entrepreneurs, and activists in the past, and I felt honored to follow such notable authors as Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie and Thomas Friedman, among others.
3. Having my parents make a surprise visit to the Neiman Marcus event in Dallas!
2. Meeting so many young people that have been inspired by TOMS to create giving-based businesses.
In DC, for example, I met Brian Lieberman who created a company called Twice As Warm - which matches every apparel item sold with an item given to a family in need. During the company’s first winter, Brian was able to surpass his first goal of giving 150 winter hats, gloves, and scarves to families in the DC area. Way to go, Brian!
1. Hitting #1 on The New York Times Bestseller List!
As I wrote in my last blog post, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this would happen, and I am so grateful for each and everyone of you that has supported TOMS over the past five years. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.
