Founding his new company that year in Santa Monica, California, the 30-year-old Blake Mycoskie began his third entrepreneurial yenture. With a staff of seven full-time employees (including former Trovata clothing line designer John Whitledge), six sales representatives, and eight interns, TOMS Shoes introduced 15 styles of men's and women's shoes plus limited-edition artist versions in June 2006. The shoes were quickly selected for distribution by stores like American Bag and Fred Segal in Los Angeles and Scoop in New York City. By Fall 2006, the company had sold 10,000 pairs of shoes, averaging $38 each, online and through 40 retail stores.