Blake Mycoskie remembers going to Argentina in 2006, where he helped give shoes to children in need. It was a memorable experience for Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, one that he would never forget.

“I felt like I was part of something that really mattered,” he said.

Once he had placed shoes on children who had never worn them before and saw the effect it had on them, he knew he had something special and would pursue it from then on out. Ever since, Mycoskie has taken a small project and made it into something much bigger. He spoke at Creighton on March 30.

“I knew then we had something besides just an idea.”

Since 2006, TOMS shoes, which is short for Tomorrow’s Shoes, has given over 400,000 shoes to children all over the world who can’t afford them. Mycoskie’s company has captured the attention of many, including celebrities and major shoe companies.

It all started five years ago when Mycoskie, who at the time ran a driver’s education business online, decided to take some vacation time outside of the country. He chose to travel to Argentina, a place] he had been years earlier when he was on the CBS reality T.V. show “The Amazing Race.” Having just gone to relax, he stumbled upon a shoe drive going on in a small village. When Mycoskie saw the scarcity of shoes in the village, he decided to take action.

“I wondered who was going to give them the next pair,” Mycoskie said.

Starting out of his apartment in Los Angeles, he gained attention by pitching his idea to major department stores, and eventually was able to sell 80 pairs of shoes to a major shoe company. From then on, what carried TOMS was its premise: For every TOMS pair of shoes that is sold, another is given to a child somewhere who has no shoes. One for one, Mycoskie calls it. This model proved to be successful, and TOMS shoes was featured in an October 2006 issue of Vogue magazine.

Mycoskie emphasized how he has incorporated giving into his business. Instead of becoming a non-profit organization and giving away shoes, Mycoskie chose the business route, which allowed him to use funds to drive the giving. As he explained, giving not only feels good but it is also good for business.

“Instead of focusing on advertising and marketing, we could focus on giving,” Mycoskie said.

Many of the students were impressed with Mycoskie’s presentation, saying his business model could be the way of the future.

“I think that the greatest contribution will prove to be the integrating giving business model,” said Arts & Sciences senior Greg Wittenburg.

CSU Program Board also took lessons away from the talk, and was happy it was able to provide students with the opportunity to hear Mycoskie’s story.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to bring Blake to campus,” said Eric Juszyk, Arts & Sciences sophomore and vice president of programming for CSU Program Board. “We received lots of positive input and enthusiasm from students, many of whom wore their TOMS to the event and we were extremely pleased with the turnout.”

Mycoskie explained, though, that he not only wanted to raise awareness but to also inspire action.

“The truth is, awareness only does so much,” Mycoskie said. “You have to take action.”

TOMS is also hosting “One Day Without Shoes;” Mycoskie is inviting people to pledge not to wear shoes that day to raise more awareness. The event takes place on April 8.

You can find out more about TOMS Shoes here.