TOMS shoes founder to speak at Fordham on Sept. 6

Areas of Study , Entrepreneurship Featured Events | Sep 01, 2011 | Nicole Gesualdo

Whether or not TOMS shoes are your style, it’s impossible to deny that the company is on the forefront of social entrepreneurship. TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie will speak on campus next week — Tuesday, September 6, at 8 p.m. at Fordham Prep — a perfect occasion for Gabelli students to learn how a company can both help others and turn a profit at the same time.

Mycoskie created TOMS, a for-profit company whose companion nonprofit, Friends of TOMS, donates a pair of shoes to a needy person for every pair the company sells. On the day of his Fordham lecture, he will release his new book, Start Something That Matters. The book tells the story of the origin of TOMS and emphasizes the importance of giving back and challenging injustice — two Jesuit principles with which Fordham students are very familiar.

Please come out to hear how Mr. Mycoskie made the transition from a purely money-minded businessman to a social entrepreneur. He’ll offer guidance on how Fordham students can take a similar path, pursuing a business that benefits themselves and others as well. Chances are good that this will be Mr. Mycoskie’s only university lecture during this academic year, so do not miss out!

For more information, you can e-mail americanage@gmail.com.

Photograph courtesy of the TOMS corporate web site.