Toms

TOMS, a sustainable shoe brand, originally started as a shoe company but has since its creation grown to a company that not just sells shoes but also eyewear, bags and even coffee. They work with a One for One business model. While traveling in Argentina in 2006, TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair of shoes for a child in need. What began as a simple idea has evolved into a powerful business model that helps address needs and advances health, education and economic opportunity for children and their communities around the world. TOMS Eyewear was launched in 2011, and has helped restore sight to over 400,000 people in need. They give sight in 13 countries, providing prescription glasses, medical treatment and/or sight-saving surgery with each purchase of eyewear. So with every Tom’s purchase, you stand with them on an issues that matters.

THE MAKER.

They offer shoes with sustainable and vegan materials and are working to expand these offerings. These shoes include natural hemp, organic cotton, and/or recycled polyester. All of their shoe boxes are made from 80% recycled post-consumer waste and are printed with soy ink. Their commercial manufacturing base, which consists of third-party contractors, is located mostly in China and Vietnam. TOMS takes seriously the global efforts to end all kinds of forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, human trafficking or otherwise. At TOMS, they believe they have a responsibility to conduct their business in an ethical way. They expect the same from their business partners, and focus on working with long-term, strategic suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to engaging with their workers and ensuring safe working conditions and environmental responsibility.