In 2002, a brother and sister team from Arlington, TX placed third in the popular “Amazing Race.” Inspired to revisit some of the places they had seen, 29-year old Blake Mycoskie discovered a life purpose in an Argentinian bar.

There, he met a few aid workers that were distributing old and poorly fitting shoes to those without. The children there had captured his heart. He also grew quite fond of the locally crafted canvas footwear and had an idea that would in-turn capture the hearts of millions. That trip was made in 2006, the same year he founded Toms Shoes with $500 and a promise to donate one pair for every pair sold.

He’s since learned of, and is attempting to cure, Podoconiosis (“dust in the feet”). This disfiguring disease is caused by walking barefoot on heavily silica-based soil. 300,000 people are affected in Ethiopia alone, including 1 in every 13 Ethiopian children. Using this “One to One” business model, Toms Shoes has now donated over 140,000 pairs of shoes throughout the U.S., Argentina, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

Shoes are merely an afterthought to so many of us, yet they are such a detrimental necessity in places where walking is the only method of transportation. By simply giving shoes, he is preventing injuries and infections from walking on contaminated soil, and enabling children to attend school where shoes are required.

Blake Mycoskie is now an entrepreneur with a mission.  He hopes that his passion to help people will inspire many others to do the same. I hope so too.