My Time At TOMS Shoes
"You must be the change you
wish to see in the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Being a TOMS Vagabond meant living a life of unexpected challenge. It meant shacking up in a motel and working out of a cave-like basement of an office we affectionately called “the dungeon.” We were kings and queens of the road. We got lost and we found ourselves. We shared our TOMS stories, our passion for change, and inspired others to take action to improve the world around them. We were wayfarers, traveling local heroes, making a direct positive impact on the world…
But then my team left for the tour that would bring the spirit of TOMS to communities nationwide - and I was asked to stick around and make a different kind of impact. My supervisors sat me down and told me, “Look, we know this is a lot to ask, but if anyone is both flexible and capable enough to be a marketing, merchandising, and PR agent of change, it’s you.” I was so honored by their praise of my “servant heart” and their confidence in my ability to excel in such a drastically different - and substantial - role that I simply couldn’t refuse. I was undoubtedly bummed to see my Vaga-fam hit the road without me, but launching a new product, the wrap boot, and opening the very first TOMS pop-up store proved to be an amazing experience. I left my adventure of a lifetime with TOMS to pursue another opportunity, but I took with me a flaming passion to build best-in-class brands that give customers what they want (or need) when they want (or need) it, and an unquenchable desire to grow communities that share life through conversations and adventures on social media and beyond. |
“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers,
the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it...”
- Wilferd Peterson