blake returned to argentina in 2006 for a vacation. "on my visit i saw lots of kids with no shoes who were suffering from injuries to their feet. i decided a business would be the most sustainable way to help, so i founded toms, which is short for a better romorrow, explained mycoskie.
while in argentina, mycoskie had taken to wearing alpargatas resilient, light-weight, slip-on shoes with a breathable canvas top and soft leather insole traditionally worn by argentine workers, but worn casually by most people in that country. mycoskie spent two months meeting with shoe and fabric makers in argentina. although he modeled his shoe after the espadrille-like alpargata, he used brighter colors and different materials. "no one looked twice at alpargatas, but i thought they had a really cool style," said mycoskie. "i'm a fan of vans, but they can be clunky and sweaty. these aren't they fit your foot like a glove but are sturdy enough for a hide, the beach, or the city."
founding his new company that year in santa monica, california, the 30-year-ole blake mycoskie began his third entrepreneurial yenture. with a staff of seven full-