That’s a quote by Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoskie from TOMS shoes on an interview from MSNBC.

Blake came up with the idea for TOMS on a trip to Argentina, where he was inspired by the low-cost alpargatas shoes and at the same time struck by the number of children without shoes.

So he launched TOMS with a simple mission to make a difference: for every pair of shoes sold, a pair would be donated to to children in third-world countries who are shoeless.

Here’s a short film about TOMS and their cause:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ8c5QWsCRQ

It’s easy to see from the video, that TOMS is a great example of a business with social responsibly engraved in its DNA and a great example of a company using creativity to make a difference in the life of others. Their success so far, can be credited to the following:

1. A strong cause and clear purpose
2. A simple and inspiring story that’s easy for people to tell each other (just like I’m doing now)
3. The product in itself is the marketing (similar to iPhone)
4. Charismatic leader who inspires others to join the cause

Here’s another video footage, this one by MSNBC which gives an inside look on how TOMS is making a difference.