The Power of An Idea

The Power of An Idea: The Tom’s Shoes Story

Over one million Toms shoes have been given to children around the world as a result of one man’s idea. How did this happen? Blake Mycoskie, founder and ‘Chief Shoe Giver’ of Toms Shoes Incorporated, was on vacation in Argentina when he saw some people doing a volunteer work of giving shoes collected from wealthy families to children who needed shoes. He was touched by what he saw but he felt the idea was not sustainable because it depended on donations. His entrepreneurial background led him to start a full profit shoe business where every time he sells a pair of shoes, a pair can be given away to a child who is in need of shoes. Through this initiative, so many lives have been touched and so many families helped.

Blake told a story of a mother of three boys who was excited that her boys now had a pair of shoe each. What was touching about the story was the fact that the three boys had been sharing a single pair of shoes. That meant if the first boy went to school on Monday, he had to wait till Thursday to go to school again. So for each of them to have their own shoes must have meant the world to them and their family. That is how much the power of an idea can affect our world.

When Blake came up with his idea, he was laughed at. The idea was branded ridiculous but today the idea has become a smashing success that now enjoys the support of various mega corporations like Microsoft, AT&T, etc. One lesson to draw from Blake Mycoskie’s story is that ideas should not just be pondered upon but acted upon. Another lesson is that opposition and discouragement should not prevent you from pursuing your idea. Also, don’t quickly wave off that idea that drops in your mind. A single idea can change millions of lives forever.

Everything in life started as an idea: the airplane, the telephone, the Internet, the game of football, the television, the motor car, the submarine, space travel, the atomic bomb, etc. So before discarding that idea, you may want to reflect on it thoughtfully and decide if it’s workable or not. Do not underestimate the power of an idea. Changing a life begins with a single step.