TOMS is an American lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories brand best known for pioneering the concept of social entrepreneurship through its famous One for One® business model. Founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, the company combines fashion with social impact, aiming to improve lives through every purchase. Today, TOMS continues its mission by donating one-third of its profits to organizations that support children’s education, health, and well-being. [1]

TOMS was founded after Blake Mycoskie traveled to Argentina in 2006. During his trip, he observed many children living without shoes, exposing them to injuries and disease.

Inspired by this experience, Mycoskie launched TOMS with a simple yet revolutionary idea:

For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS would donate one pair of shoes to a child in need.

This became the famous One for One® model, which quickly attracted global attention and transformed TOMS into one of the world’s best-known social impact brands. [1]

Contrary to popular belief, there is no person named Tom behind the brand.

The name TOMS is derived from Tomorrow’s Shoes, reflecting the company’s vision of creating a better tomorrow through business. [1]

The One for One® initiative became one of the most influential corporate social responsibility programs in modern retail.

How it worked

• Customer buys one pair of shoes.

• TOMS donates one pair to a child in need.

• Donations were distributed through nonprofit partners around the world.

The model later expanded to include:

• Eye care

• Safe water

• Maternal health

• Anti-bullying initiatives

By the late 2010s, TOMS had donated over 100 million pairs of shoes and supported people in more than 90 countries. [1]

Beginning in 2020, TOMS transitioned away from the One for One® model.

Instead, the company now commits one-third of its profits to community organizations through:

• Cash grants

• Product donations

• Long-term nonprofit partnerships

This approach aims to create more sustainable, locally informed impact while maintaining the company’s mission of using business to improve lives. [1]

TOMS states that its mission is:

“Use business to improve lives.”

The brand focuses particularly on supporting children’s:

• Education

• Mental health

• Physical health

• Well-being

• Opportunity

[1]

Although originally known for canvas slip-on shoes, TOMS now offers a broader lifestyle collection, including:

Footwear

• Alpargatas

• Slip-ons

• Sneakers

• Boots

• Sandals

• Flats

• Loafers

Apparel

• T-shirts

• Sweatshirts

• Casual clothing

Accessories

• Socks

• Bags

• Hats

• Eyewear

The Alpargata is TOMS’ signature shoe.

Its design is inspired by the traditional Spanish and Argentine espadrille, a lightweight canvas shoe known for comfort and simplicity. Since the company’s launch, the Alpargata has remained TOMS’ most recognizable product. [1]

According to TOMS, the company has:

• Positively impacted over 105 million lives

• Contributed more than US$200 million in shoe donations and grants since 2006

• Worked with over 200 nonprofit organizations

• Focused recent giving on children’s education, health, and well-being through grants and partnerships [1]

TOMS emphasizes environmental responsibility through initiatives such as:

• Certified B Corporation status

• Increased use of recycled materials

• FSC-certified paper packaging

• Packaging made largely from recycled materials

• Measuring and reducing its carbon footprint

• Programs that extend the life of products through resale partnerships [1]

Core Values

• Social responsibility

• Compassion

• Community

• Simplicity

• Accessibility

• Sustainability

• Ethical business

Brand Personality

TOMS positions itself as:

• Casual

• Comfortable

• Purpose-driven

• Inclusive

• Optimistic

TOMS primarily serves:

• Men

• Women

• Children

• Socially conscious consumers

• Casual lifestyle shoppers

• Travelers

• Students

• Individuals seeking comfortable everyday footwear

TOMS products are sold through:

• The official online store

• Company-owned retail locations

• Department stores

• Independent footwear retailers

• International distributors across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other regions. [1]

TOMS is widely recognized for:

• Popularizing the “buy one, give one” concept in retail

• Influencing purpose-driven entrepreneurship

• Blending fashion with philanthropy

• Becoming one of the world’s most recognizable social enterprise brands

TOMS has had a significant influence on modern business by demonstrating that commercial success and social purpose can coexist. Its One for One® model inspired many companies to incorporate charitable giving into their business strategies. While the company has evolved beyond donating one product per purchase, its central philosophy remains the same: using business as a force for positive social impact. [1]

1. Our Story – TOMS.com