Off to Ethiopia

I spent last week at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in NYC for the third year in a row. As with last year, I walk in to this conference with such an incredible level of respect for the individuals who participate and who are making a considerable impact on the world. But also, just as last year, my expectations are blown away. The goals that are created, and the reflections on past successes are beyond inspiring. If I could bottle an ounce of the inspiration that is brewed at this conference to give to each of you, the world would be in damn good shape in about a day. They open our eyes to the multitude of issues and challenges and hardships that drastically affect lives of all types of people. But beyond discussing the issues, this is the place where action items are created, organizations hold each other accountable, and change is realized. That’s what keeps TOMS coming back.


Met up with Jessica Alba + Cash Warren who are also doing amazing work at CGI. They're both such wonderful people!

This weekend, I took a flight to another place I'm very excited about, Ethiopia. TOMS began an initiative there in 2008 providing shoes to children at risk for an awful disease called Podoconiosis. I've relayed to my team back at HQ how passionate I am about this initiative, and I could barely sleep the past couple nights knowing that soon, I will be able to experience our work there with my own 5 senses. The coming weeks will be spent far away from marketing meetings, emails and rigorous schedules, and close to the need, the disease and the people.

As much as I'm looking forward to the experiences and education over the next month, I'm also looking forward to my return and sharing these things with all of you.

Signing off, and Carpe Diem.

Today in Little Rock

Recently, The Clinton Foundation invited me to come visit Little Rock, AR for a couple events. Connie Falls, philanthropist, stylist, designer, and amazing supporter of TOMS, put together this incredible fashion show titled DeFeet, to "walk all over poverty." Project Runway contestant Korto Momolu, Little Rock local Erin Lorenzen, and young students will be sending their work down the runway, and the models will be wearing TOMS that have been styled by the designers. All of these TOMS are going up for auction, with proceeds benefiting the Clinton Foundation and Heifer International.

(They're also auctioning off a pair of hand-painted Peter Max TOMS I might need to bid on for my Mom- shes a huge Peter Max fan.)

Friday, I will be talking to Government officials, philanthropists, and students of the Clinton School of Public Service. The school of Public Service is one of a kind, "focusing its teaching, research and policy-making exclusively on the emerging field of sharing and giving." Can't wait to share TOMS and our One for One business model with them and hear what projects they have in the works.

Have a great weekend.

The Past Few Weeks

Its always exciting to spend time with President Clinton, but this past weekend at the second annual CGI U was extra special. The energy of the thousands of students that attended was unreal, and they were just as inspiring to me as TOMS and the One for One business model is to them. Here's a link (and a time log- the entire piece is 90 minutes long) to the Opening Plenary, where I had the opportunity to speak in front of 1,300+ of the best students from around the world. Some photos below, too.

Watch the video

40:12 - Pres Clinton introduces me
55:25 - Pres Clinton asks me, "Why shoes? Why a business, not a charity?"
80:10 - Pres Clinton asks us, "Where do you want to be in 5 years?"

For those of you who weren't able to make it to Austin this past weekend, I challenge you to match the passion and determination that the students who attended represent. TOMS has campus rep programs that empower students to further the One for One mission on their own campuses, or even here at our HQ in LA: www.TOMSshoes.com/jointheteam.

on stage at CGI U

CGI U Service Project at Rosewood Park + Recreation Center

The past few weeks have been amazing: Having the opportunity to speak in front of the most influential people in the business world at the TED conference and being inspired by their knowledge, and then speaking in front of the most passionate students in the world and being inspired by their energy, leaves me absolutely humbled.

on stage at the 2009 TED Conference

CGI U 2009

Today I'm headed back to Texas. It won't be for a relaxing weekend at home with my parents, or to catch up with old friends. This weekend will be fast-paced and exciting: I'm speaking at CGI U in Austin. TOMS is a proud member of the Clinton Global Initiative and pledged to give 100,000 pairs of shoes to Haiti at this past fall's CGI conference in NYC. CGI U began in 2007 as a means for students, national youth organizations, and university officials to discuss solutions to pressing global issues. Friday I'll be on a panel with good friend President Bill Clinton, President of Dell Global Public, Paul Bell, Graduate Student in Biomedical Engineering, Mambidzeni Madzivire, and actress Natalie Portman discussing how students and campuses can take action in making a difference. The weekend then continues with amazing discussions and presentations about developing sustainable food systems, how to be innovative and resourceful in difficult economic times, working sessions on global health, energy and climate change, education, and more. The individuals who will be presenting are incredibly intelligent people who really care about guiding our youth, and I'm looking forward to being a part of this year's conference. After this weekend, its back to LA to the TOMS HQ.

President Clinton and I in 2008