Best Practices

TOMS, short for "Tomorrow's Shoes," was founded by American entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie in 2006. The company's history began when Mycoskie visited Argentina and witnessed the hardships faced by children who couldn't afford shoes. Inspired by the traditional Argentine alpargata shoes, he came up with the idea of starting a for-profit business that would also have a positive social impact.

TOMS concept is simple, for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS would donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. This approach was coined as the "One for One" model, blending commerce with a humanitarian mission. The company's mission was to improve lives through the power of giving.

Over time, TOMS expanded its product line beyond shoes to include eyewear, handbags, and coffee. Each product line followed the same One for One model, where a portion of the proceeds from sales went towards providing eyewear, safe birth kits, or clean water to communities in need.

The company's commitment to social impact and ethical business practices resonated with consumers, and TOMS experienced significant growth. Its success inspired other companies to adopt similar social enterprise models, fueling the rise of the "buy one, give one" movement.

TOMS' story showcases the power of combining business with social impact, demonstrating that profit and purpose can go hand in hand. It has inspired a generation of socially conscious consumers and has had a significant influence on the business landscape.

In addition, TOMS places importance on responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices. The company works with suppliers who meet ethical standards, ensuring fair labor practices and safe working conditions. Also, TOMS takes steps to reduce its environmental footprint. This includes using sustainable materials in its products, implementing recycling programs, and minimizing waste in its operations.

Finally, TOMS promotes a circular economy by encouraging customers to return their used TOMS shoes for recycling or repurposing.

Social care, environmental sustainability, circular economy, transparency, Labour standards

• key initiatives is its One for One model
• Sight Restoration TOMS Eyewear operates on a similar model
• Roasting Co., where the purchase of coffee supports clean water projects
• Bag Collection, which helps provide safe births for mothers and babies in need
• TOMS has become a prominent example of social entrepreneurship, inspiring other businesses to integrate social impact into their core business models

• Number of Shoes Donated
• Sight Restoration
• Customer Engagement
• Social Media Reach and Engagement
• Financial Performance
• Employee Satisfaction and Engagement
• Partnerships and Collaborations
• Sustainability Practices

• According to Scaling Impact: As TOMS expands its operations, it faces the challenge of maintaining the same level of impact and ensuring that its giving initiatives remain sustainable and effective.
• According to Balancing Profitability and Impact: Finding the right balance between generating revenue and maximizing social impact can be an ongoing challenge for TOMS.
• According to Monitoring Supply Chain Practices: Monitoring suppliers, ensuring fair labor practices, and minimizing environmental impacts require continuous effort and investment.
• Continuous Innovation: This could involve exploring new giving initiatives, expanding product lines, or finding innovative ways to create social impact while remaining financially sustainable.
• Supply Chain Sustainability: Regular audits, supplier partnerships, and sustainable sourcing practices can help minimize the company's environmental footprint and uphold responsible business practices.

• https://www.toms.com/ Access 30/6/2023
• https://www.facebook.com/toms Access 30/6/2023
• https://www.instagram.com/TOMS/ Access 30/6/2023