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    Start Something That Matters
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    Start Something That Matters
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    Start Something That Matters
    Audiobook4 hours

    Start Something That Matters

    Written by Blake Mycoskie

    Narrated by Blake Mycoskie

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Love your work, work for what you love, and change the world-all at the same time.

    What matters most to you? Should you focus on earning a living, pursuing your passions, or devoting yourself to the causes that inspire you? The surprising truth is that you don't have to choose-and that you'll find more success if you don't. That's the breakthrough message of TOMS' One for One movement. You don't have to be rich to give back and you don't have to retire to spend every day doing what you love. You can find profit, passion, and meaning all at once-right now.

    In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you're considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.

    Why this book is for you:

    • You're ready to make a difference in the world-through your own start-up business, a nonprofit organization, or a new project that you create within your current job.
    • You want to love your work, work for what you love, and have a positive impact on the world-all at the same time.
    • You're inspired by charity: water, method, and FEED Projects and want to learn how these organizations got their start.
    • You're curious about how someone who never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail created one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world by giving shoes away.
    • You're looking for a new model of success to share with your children, students, co-workers, and members of your community.

    You're ready to start something that matters.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 6, 2011
    ISBN9780307967152
    Unavailable
    Start Something That Matters

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    Reviews for Start Something That Matters

    4/5

    140 ratings36 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 4/5
      “A leader can create a company, but a community creates a movement.”I read this book for my business class, but ended up throughly enjoying it. It was very well written and informative. I also felt that a lot of the concepts within the book would not only apply to a new business, but also just to life in general.This quote in particular felt applicable outside of business:“When you micromanage, you’re effectively telling people that you don’t trust their judgment and that, unless you’re personally involved in every detail, the project won’t get done right. That attitude hardly inspires confidence.”I felt like this quote is also applicable to parenting, friendships, and even romantic relationships. I also feel like it’s something to consider when managing my own life. I can’t control every little aspect of life, I just have to trust that it’ll end up okay.I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in any aspect of business, or anyone just looking for an enjoyable, yet informative, read.I also wanted to include my favorite quote from the book, though it doesn’t have anything to do with business at all really.“Books are different from other possessions-they’re more like friends.”
    • 5/5
      Blake Mycoskie gives wonderful anecdotes about different entrepreneurs who have made a difference in this world while making profit. The one story that really got my attention was about his Mom who self published a cook book and later on was picked by an actual publisher. It's a great read.
    • 5/5
      Start something that matters is a MUST for everyone who seek a purpose in life. It gives me the energy to re-think and continue with my dream.
    • 5/5
      awesome awesome awesome I was definitely very inspired. Strongly recommend
    • 5/5
      this book awaken something positive in me.. it contains everything, stories, information, business mind frame, how to be a good business man and a better person, really loved it.
    • 5/5
      Great words of advice by all standards
      . Definitely recommended to every serious business.
    • 5/5
      great inspirational book. I'm inspired to start something that matters.
    • 5/5
      great book, jammed packed with a lot of helpful advice!!!!!!!!
    • 5/5
      This is an awesome book that is extremely inspirational for entrepreneurs who are not just looking to make a profit but to really make a meaningful change in this world by giving back to those less fortunate. I listen to this audio book almost everyday driving to work to help me find my way. Thank You Blake!
    • 5/5
      Although the title make you think that is a book for people who want to start a business, I believe that is a great book for entrepreneurs with experience as well. Blake Mycoskie is authentic in every advice and story that he tell. I like very much that he is humble and not afraid to share his mistakes. The idea that if your project or company will improve even one life you can think that you succeeded. This principle is very valuable because people tend to make big expectations when they start something. No doubt, we need more entrepreneurs like Blake for building a better future and I’m happy to recommend this book to people who want to make a difference in their lives and their communities.
    • 5/5
      Encouraging and highly executable! Read the book , then start something amazing ASAP.
    • 5/5
      I highly recommend to share the story. Listen, learn and apply the good and the bad of a successful business journey from less to what matters at work, in a business and most importantly in life through a Giver point of view. Enjoy and thrive in how to “Start Something That Matters”.
    • 5/5
      Such a great book for anyone wanting to make a difference in the world. The way he weaves his story and other stories together, along with giving tips on how you can start something, helped the book flow pleasantly.
    • 5/5
      This book will be on my gift-giving list this Christmas, and it should be on yours. Easy and fast to read with many profound thoughts and ideas. It's partly the story of TOMS, but also the story of many other similar companies, briefly, including some sage advice for anyone who wishes to start a company with an integrated charity component. More than all that, there are pearls of wisdom in it for living well for every reader.

      In these challenging economic times, the message is clear. Help someone else; it will definitely help you to do so, while helping them. And if you think it's unwise to start a business now or to find a way to give, read this book. This is great reading for younger generations, and the lessons here are readily picked up by children and teens.

      Reach outside your nest and see what's possible by people just like you.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I really love this book! It inspired me so much and it makes me wants to listen more.
    • 4/5
      Good book, great story and idea! Encouraging to those that would create something big and helpful!
    • 5/5
      I don't know how you can read this book and not be inspired. I was excited to receive a review copy of Start Something That Matters from the publisher, because, well, what Mr. Mycoskie is doing fits in fantastically with my worldview. I hoped the book would be neither too dry, nor too preachy, and lucky me, all my hopes came true!The book is the story of TOMS, which is a shoe company that operates on a 1for1 business model: for every pair of shoes they sell, they give one to a child who is without. The book goes into great detail of how Mr. Mycoskie came up with the idea, how he implemented it, and the secrets of his success. There are also many inspiring stories from other companies who are doing similar things, and some who got the idea from TOMS and have started their own for-profit 1for1 companies.I was pleased to see that there was some really good info on how business people and consumers can make a difference, in both big and small ways. I was also glad to see that he didn't act like everyone can just run off and start their own company tomorrow, like many of similar books do. Instead, he encourages people to start small, and gives many examples of people who did just that.The writing was engaging, accessible and compulsively readable. Many pictures and little boxed-in stories (there has to be a name for that, right?) accompanied the text. Overall I was very impressed with the content and the writing style.Though I did give the book 5 stars, there were one big thing I had an issue with: labor practices. I didn't dock my rating because the issue was with the ideology, not with the writing of this book. However, I was uncomfortable with Mr. Mycoskie encouraging people to hire full-time, long-term unpaid interns. Yes, I get that many start-ups do this, and it can be a great opportunity for the interns. In fact, all the interns who began at TOMS inception are still with the company. But at one point he mentions a company hiring as many as 20 unpaid interns. If you have so much business that you need that many interns, then you need to be paying your employees.He also encouraged people to use the site 99designs. Basically, this is a site where people put up a request for a logo or other design, and then graphic designers get to work for free in the hopes that their design will be chosen. Sure, there are plenty of contests similar to this with various t-shirt companies and magazines. But if a company wants to work with a graphic designer to have a logo made, then they need to commission the work. As a freelancer, I am uncomfortable with this model and I wish he hadn't encouraged it.That aside, the book was excellent and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference, on either a personal or professional level, or someone who's simply interested in how this very different company began.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      There are certainly parts of the Tom's story that are uplifting and inspirational, and Blake manages to keep the gushy over-the-top-save-the-children stuff to a minimum. The interesting parts detail the struggles the company had and case studies from other do-good for-profits. However, he does seem to gloss over quite a few lucky breaks that put a rocket boost behind the initial success of Tom's. The saying "It's not what you know, it's Who you know that matters" definitely plays here. Not to mention a workforce of unpaid interns. Overall an easy read, his main thesis is good but slim (I'm sure it would have many business school professors spinning at their lecterns). Very self-centered focus when discussing customer and employee interactions with the "mission" - the free shoes play second fiddle to the "life-changing experiences" of the shoe-droppers (without any discussion of sustainable local support or aid besides foot coverings).

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Written by the founder of TOMS shoes, this conversational book outlines the story of the company's humble start as well as the stories of other companies making a difference. It reads fairly quickly, but leaves a lasting impression. I definitely recommend it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Blake Mycoskie's business book, Start Something That Matters, is inspiring, uplifting, and a great resource for entrepreneurs and established business people alike. This is a great read for anyone interested in the TOMS story but also provides a lot of inspiration to make positive changes in the world while making a living in your own business.The basis of the TOMS story is starting a for-profit business with a charity based mission. In the TOMS case, it is providing shoes to the shoeless around the world One for One with shoes purchased from them. This book provides excellent leadership tips for dealing with everything from scarcity of resources to the fear of the unknown, and is a great resource for anyone thinking about taking the leap into starting a new venture. My wife and I are in the midst of starting our own business and this book has inspired me to figure out how to give back to our community and those in need while creating customers who are inspired to become real supporters. There is great insight about how having a charity minded business plan can bring you financial success by getting customers excited in your story. I highly recommend Start Somethig That Matters and believe that the theories and methods that Mycoskie outlines can be used to increase your own success while being a good steward for future generations.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Start Something that Matters was a very fast read, once I got into it and past the first two chapters. Mycoskie shares the story of his own entrepreneurial endeavor, TOMS, a for-profit company that has a charitable or social good at the center of its mission. He then uses that story to launch encouragement and advice to the reader for starting their own such endeavor. At its heart, this is something of an entrepreneur self-help book.The first two chapters were necessary, but "the TOMS story" and "find your story" are both much more like a practiced sales pitch than the following chapters that my natural inclination to mistrust the sales pitch got in the way of the words.Once Mycoskie got into the longer message, and gave more details on the pragmatic and practical matters, that problem kind of went away. Of particular interest to me were the places where Mycoskie revealed the resources he had at his disposal (not as many as I thought) when he started TOMS, and the role of the people around him in the success of TOMS.What I took away were some nice kernals of advice, and all the thoughts I've had and conversations I've started based on an idea that a sentence or phrase that caught my eye. This is a very good book to prompt discussions.
    • 3/5
      As someone who'd read plenty of books about starting a small business, I can honestly say that this one is a bit different.Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shoes, writes from the creative perspective instead of using normal business speak or logic. Which isn't to say that the book doesn't logical. Rather, Mycoskie's approach is to tailor his approach, creating a business plan that's as unique as your individual business.Based on his experience founding TOMS, a shoe company that gives away a free pair of shoes for each purchased pair, Mycoskie knows it can be difficult to follow a recipe for a business start-up, particularly businesses with a heart for community-building and other not-always-profitable service aspects. His story alone shows that it's possible to build a successful brand with a completely out-of-the-box strategy, and he also references dozens of big businesses that began as one person with an idea. Rife with tips for saving start-up money, Start Something That Matters will help set you on the right track with basic questions as you get started, resourceful growth planning, hiring help, and even finding the funding you need.This is a book with more storytelling than step-by-step advice, so you may want to purchase additional resources if this will be your only how-to guide to starting a business. But if what you truly need is the extra encouragement to follow your heart and begin a business that feeds your soul AND your bank account, pick this one up.
    • 5/5
      Do you need inspiration to start your own business? If so, this book is for you! Blake Mycoskie started TOMS shoes with a simple business model: buy a pair of shoes and TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. In addition to reading the history of TOMS, readers will also learn secrets of Mycoskie?s success (hiring interns, rewarding his employees, and simplicity). An inspiring read for entrepreneurs and do-gooders!
    • 4/5
      I was excited to receive this book for the "how to" factor and wound up being charmed by the underlying stories within as an added bonus. Quite inspiring and also a reminder of how it is still possible to craft a meaningful and ethical business model. Great writing and a great reference for any entrepreneur.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful book! It's so great to hear about how TOMS started and that Blake Mycoskie continues to keep a focus on his One for One cause. I'm thoroughly touched and inspired by this book. There were also great stories shared about other companies, such as Method and FEED. I'm definitely going to start taking a closer look at companies with a good story and cause behind them. These companies definitely deserve our support. Thank you, Blake, for sharing your story.
    • 5/5
      Honestly, I had already heard of the TOMS Shoes company and thought it was a fascinating concept. I would have read this book based on that alone. The first chapter of the book focuses on how TOMS shoes came to be from initial concept, highlighting hurdles along the way. That part is really interesting and I'm glad Mycoskie wrote about it.However, where this book truly shines is in its message to start something that matters. Mycoskie highlights other companies that had an original idea, a need to make a difference, and a successful company launch. With his start something that matters mantra, he demonstrates that non-profits, for profit companies, and for profit companies that do non profit work are all avenues to do something big, and meaningful and fulfilling. In today's economy, where no one's job is safe and seniority and skill do not necessarily matter - doing work that completes you is all that counts. If you can create something that also helps others - right from the start - then you can be satisfied with not only your success but also your impact.It was such a good read - I immediately shared it with a friend who had just been laid off from work and was looking for more than just another job.
    • 4/5
      Blake Mycoskie first came to my attention when he and his sister Paige were contestants on the reality television show The Amazing Race. Years later I saw him in an AT&T commercial talking about his company; Toms Shoes. At Toms when you purchase a pair of shoes a second pair of shoes is given to a child in need of shoes. I hadn't heard of Toms prior to this commercial. I went on line, checked them out and now own a few pairs of Toms vegan slip-on shoes. I'm a big fan of Toms shoes. So, of course, when this book appeared on the list of Early Reviewers books, I had to request it.Mycoskie tells the story of his inspiration for Toms (short for Tomorrow's shoes), how he got started and the business principles he utilizes. He uses his own experiences and the experiences of other entrepreneurs to illustrate these principles. He gives advice for those looking to start a business around a cause or charity. Much of Mycoskie's advice centers on his belief that we are in this life to help each other and to improve the lives of others.Now, I'm most likely never going to start a business. However; I was still able to find advice in this book that would help me at work. I think this is a pretty good entry level business book, with a focus on charitable or cause based businesses. Recommended.
    • 2/5
      First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the Toms company. I have several pairs of Toms shoes and am a huge advocate of their one-to-one concept. I have a great deal of respect for the company that Blake Mycoskie founded and built. That said, I'm not a huge fan of this book. I'm an avid business book reader, and this book is simply too light on content for me. Much of it is the back-story around the founding of Toms, which is great, with some other entrepreneurs chiming in with their stories. I don't feel there's a ton of solid business advice in the book if one were seriously considering starting a business. Was it a light, fun read? Sure. But was it actionable? I don't think so.
    • 4/5
      29 year old Blake Mycoskie turns a vacation to Argentina into a powerful force for good and he wants to inspire all his readers to do the same. In addition to relaying the interesting and admirable story of the popular shoe company TOMS which started on an unproven business model, this book offers practical advice on things that work, don't work, and specifically lists the partners and social media tools that have helped him achieve his phenomenal success. I'd say this book is a lot like his shoes: a good idea, kind of bare bones but well made, fun, and destined to be very popular. Those entering business or teaching it had better add it to their reading list without delay.
    • 5/5
      what an excellent book, life story too share, and talk about with all ages. This man, this bussiness, this theme needs too be spread to so many people. 1 person can make a difference, 1 group can make a difference, 1 idea can make a difference. In this book the reader not only learns about TOMS but other companies, start up themes and how they are willing too go against the ney sayers and make it happen.