0561-023 Graber 11
What has been the greatest and most unexpected lesson?
When you really give young people a lot of authority and opportunity, they can do amazing
things. Because of our giving level and because we’re a start up, we haven’t really had a lot of
money to hire a lot of “super-experienced” people, so we’ve hired people right out of college, or
even out of high school and given them a tremendous amount of responsibility and authority for
the lack of experience they have and for the most part I’ve been really impressed with how many
of them have really risen up and become really important assets to TOMS, do their jobs and get
things done in a way that people with maybe ten years of experience wouldn’t do.
Also, with our intern program it’s a way to see how many great ideas and efforts come out of
that program. It’s really about empowering people, and making people believe that they really
can make a difference and contribution no matter what their age or experience is, and when
given the tools and abilities to do so, amazing things happen.
Can you tell me more about the intern program?
There are two parts to it. We have the interns who spend the summer here in LA and we have the
Vagabonds. Vagabonds are interns who travel around the country hosting screenings and
parties and spread the word about TOMS to high school and colleges around the country. And
that’s become a big part of my thinking and a big part of the culture; you don’t necessarily need
the most experienced people, you just need people who are passionate, smart and hardworking.
What's your advice for people, young especially, who
want to take the social entrepreneurship route to give
back in their communities and want to make this
giving a full-time venture?
I think two things. For better or for worse, a lot of people
have been laid off and a lot of companies aren’t hiring,
but there are social ventures like TOMS out there and
often the best way to get involved is to volunteer some
time, and even if you are 40 years old and are not going
to do an internship, the truth is, if you have, lets say,
graphic design skills, and you’ve been laid off, maybe donate your skills to a not-for-profit or a
social venture like TOMS that you’re really passionate about, and often times through that
process, especially as an organization is growing, sometimes it can become an opportunity for
actual employment.
And I think a lot of people have seen that by getting involved in a socially focused venture that
they are not only fulfilling a financial needs but their spiritual and mental needs as well. I think
that’s why people love working at TOMS and I think were going to see a lot of other
organizations like TOMS popping up because it’s just kind of that right thing to do.
Has TOMS been able to stay profitable and sustainable?
Yes, it’s TOMS third full year. We’re definitely on a path to sustainability. We haven’t had to let
anyone go. If anything we’ve had to hire more people in the last two months. We’re right on plan
and we’re going to give away 300,000 shoes in 2009.