In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie presents the profiles and stories of social entrepreneurs who used their passion to found businesses and organizations with a meaningful, sustainable purpose. In addition, Mycoskie details his own personal business story to promote a new way of thinking about success in terms of material accomplishment, personal meaning, and philanthropic missions. He provides a unique and motivational insight into the business world of for-profit companies linked to a charity mission.
The book covers strategies and techniques Mycoskie deemed mandatory in approaching the development, promotion, growth, employees, and financial struggles of a positive impact business idea. The stories capture the excitement and sense of possibility that compensate for the deprivations and anxiety of the start-up period of giving focused businesses.
Reading this book provides a perspective on the challenges faced in any new business venture. It also details the passion that is necessary for sustainable and social causes to survive, and the incredible benefits and fulfillment that can come when perseverance leads to success.
Mycoskie intended for this book to inspire readers to take the advice and steps he suggests and apply them to an idea for another world changing company, cause, or project. The TOMS story has inspired others to follow their passions and initiate a new charity project, and this book provides a formula for others to gain the inspiration, tools, and drive necessary to initiate social change themselves.
While it is structured as a guide for entrepreneurs that want to make a difference or positive impact on the world through an idea for a start-up business, nonprofit organization, or side-project, the underlying purpose of the book is to inspire readers to harness and act on their passion for social causes.
Mycoskie began the book with the story of TOMS and how his simple idea of a one-for-one shoe company grew to become a nationwide movement. His story details the many challenges faced in the initial business stages of a start up; however, Mycoskie also highlights the emotional rewards and experiences that came with the establishment of his unique business model. Through this, and the remainder of the book, Mycoskie clearly aims to inspire readers to follow through with their own unique philanthropic business ideas.
The following seven chapters of the book are each devoted to a specific area of a business plan or approach that would be valuable to any business, plan, or idea similar to the TOMS one-for-one movement. The instructions provided are consistent with standard marketing techniques, values of socially responsible businesses, and nonprofit public relations. Furthermore, the personal experiences of Mycoskie and additional anecdotes of other successful entrepreneurs aid in the illustration of the value those marketing concepts have in the development stages of start-ups, projects, or nonprofits.
Start Something That Matters is an entertaining and valuable informational book for entrepreneurs who are considering integrating a charity, philanthropy, or social cause into their business model for a start-up, nonprofit, or side project. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the business of nonprofit, charity, or philanthropy work.
Sarah Maner
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
The book covers strategies and techniques Mycoskie deemed mandatory in approaching the development, promotion, growth, employees, and financial struggles of a positive impact business idea. The stories capture the excitement and sense of possibility that compensate for the deprivations and anxiety of the start-up period of giving focused businesses.
Reading this book provides a perspective on the challenges faced in any new business venture. It also details the passion that is necessary for sustainable and social causes to survive, and the incredible benefits and fulfillment that can come when perseverance leads to success.
Mycoskie intended for this book to inspire readers to take the advice and steps he suggests and apply them to an idea for another world changing company, cause, or project. The TOMS story has inspired others to follow their passions and initiate a new charity project, and this book provides a formula for others to gain the inspiration, tools, and drive necessary to initiate social change themselves.
While it is structured as a guide for entrepreneurs that want to make a difference or positive impact on the world through an idea for a start-up business, nonprofit organization, or side-project, the underlying purpose of the book is to inspire readers to harness and act on their passion for social causes.
Mycoskie began the book with the story of TOMS and how his simple idea of a one-for-one shoe company grew to become a nationwide movement. His story details the many challenges faced in the initial business stages of a start up; however, Mycoskie also highlights the emotional rewards and experiences that came with the establishment of his unique business model. Through this, and the remainder of the book, Mycoskie clearly aims to inspire readers to follow through with their own unique philanthropic business ideas.
The following seven chapters of the book are each devoted to a specific area of a business plan or approach that would be valuable to any business, plan, or idea similar to the TOMS one-for-one movement. The instructions provided are consistent with standard marketing techniques, values of socially responsible businesses, and nonprofit public relations. Furthermore, the personal experiences of Mycoskie and additional anecdotes of other successful entrepreneurs aid in the illustration of the value those marketing concepts have in the development stages of start-ups, projects, or nonprofits.
Start Something That Matters is an entertaining and valuable informational book for entrepreneurs who are considering integrating a charity, philanthropy, or social cause into their business model for a start-up, nonprofit, or side project. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the business of nonprofit, charity, or philanthropy work.
Sarah Maner
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill