The B Team announced today that Blake Mycoskie — entrepreneur, author, and founder/CEO of TOMS Shoes — is the latest recruit to join its ranks. Mycoskie becomes the youngest member of The B Team and will lend his unique, entrepreneurial perspective on the future of business to the team and its work.
The B Team — a not-for-profit initiative co-founded by Sir Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz — is committed to creating a future where business is a driving force for social, environmental and economic benefit. TOMS Shoes, known for its One for One giving model, gives away a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair sold. To date, the company has given away over 10 million pairs of shoes and restored sight to over 200,000 individuals through its eyewear program.
“A driving force behind my business ventures is my deep-seated passion to inspire people to help make tomorrow better, encouraging them to include giving in everything they do,” Mycoskie said. “I fully share The B Team’s aspirations and am thrilled to have this opportunity to develop ideas and ultimately better business.”
Mycoskie joins other members of The B Team at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week to encourage other business leaders to work to catalyze a better way of doing business.
“The B Team welcomes Blake’s energy and experience, in particular his passion for inspiring and improving the lives of young people,” said B Team co-founder Sir Richard Branson. “Blake has proven first-hand that 'putting people and the planet before profit is also good for business.' He embodies the next generation of business leaders that is challenging and inspiring all of us to do business differently.”
In November, Mycoskie announced the launch of the TOMS Marketplace, which features a curated collection of 200 socially conscious products from 30 different companies, each with a meaningful story and an ethos and commitment matching TOMS’ to giving to those in need, spanning a wide range of causes and geographic areas of impact.
On March 11, 2014, Mycoskie will reveal TOMS’ next One for One product, according to today’s announcement.
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Published Jan 21, 2014 4pm EST / 1pm PST / 9pm GMT / 10pm CET