BLAKE MYCOSKIE Founder of TOMS Shoes Releases New Book START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

 

 

Blake Mycoskie is releasing a new book START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS IN September 2011.  According to the official press release:

The incredible story of the man behind TOMS and One for One ™, the revolutionary business model that matches social good with sales. Blake Mycoskie never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail but he created one of the most iconic companies in the world by giving new shoes to children in need.

This is a book that will make you think differently about the work you do, the products you buy, and the difference one person can make. Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS, and in his first book, he offers his own amazing story of success, inspiration, and the power of one idea: to provide new shoes to children in need.

Blake became interested in creating a for-profit business that at its center could support a sustainable way of giving that would address ongoing needs worldwide. It all started several years ago, when after selling his fourth start-up, Blake visited Argentina, and was shocked to see the number of children unable to afford shoes. This simple fact changed his life forever. He leftArgentina determined to return and hand deliver thousands of new shoes to these children, protecting them from potential diseases, providing access to education, or allowing them to walk to collect clean drinking water—all basic needs that most of us take for granted. Shortly after that trip, Blake created TOMS, which began with shoes and recently launched a second product, eyewear, to address another global need: vision.

In START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS, Blake addresses the following:

• What matters most to people?
• Should one focus on earning a living, pursuing passions, or devoting oneself to the causes that inspire?
• The surprising truth is that one doesn’t have to choose—and that people might find more success if they don’t.
• How to work through fear and failure and how other entrepreneurs have done the same.
• Important lessons from Zappos, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle, among many other incredible organizations.
• One doesn’t have to be rich to give back.
• One doesn’t have to retire to spend every day doing what you love.
• One can find profit, passion, and meaning all at once.

 

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS shows the evolution of a company that started out modestly in a small Los Angelesapartment and then went on to become a global movement – one of the fastest growing companies in the world. Praised by Bill Clinton as “one of the most interesting entrepreneurs [he'd] ever met,” Blake lives on a sailboat in Los Angeles, and holds the title of Chief Shoe Giver. In this new memoir, he shares his transformation from a “regular business guy,” motivated primarily by profit, into one of the emerging leaders in Conscious Capitalism. Blake also presents the six simple keys to creating and transforming one’s life and business, from discovering one’s core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of a person’s life.

Blake’s philosophy offers a new way of thinking about success, defined by creating work that simultaneously fulfills our hunger for material success, philanthropic impact, and personal meaning. Blake’s story will inspire a wide range of people: youth just beginning their careers and hoping to make a difference; those who want to change careers to something more meaningful; and leaders who want to take on the challenges of changing the world of business to make it a culture that is passionate, creative and ultimately capable of making the world a better place.

In keeping with the TOMS One for One ™ philosophy, with every copy of START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS purchased, TOMS will provide a new book to a child in need. One for One. TOMS will give new books through the innovative non-profit First Book (FirstBook.org) to children in the United States.

Learn more about this exciting project at http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/.

 

 

Bestselling Authors Bodie & Brock Thoene Sign Four-Book Deal With Zondervan

   

 

 

Zondervan announced it signed award-winning and bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene to a four-book contract with the first title, Beyond the Farthest Star, to release December 2011.

Beyond the Farthest Star is a novel based on the major motion picture screenplay by Andrew Librizzi with the film (Pathlight Entertainment) anticipated to release nationwide in time for the holidays. The emotionally compelling novel tells the tale of a father desperate to reconnect with his daughter and regain the love of his wife. In it, he discovers that reconciliation and trust begin, not with words, but with the revelation of the heart.

“Beyond the Farthest Star is a powerful story with gripping characters and fascinating twists and turns,” said Bodie and Brock Thoene. “We are excited and proud to be partnering with the dynamic Zondervan publishing team as this film and novel come to life.”

After the release of Beyond the Farthest Star, the Thoenes will begin their most powerful and climactic writing project ever with a new historical fiction series titled “A.D. Scrolls.” The series begins with the first book, releasing in October 2012, which focuses on those who followed Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and continues on with a new release each year which will take readers through the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, Resurrection and on into the first tumultuous days of the Church.

“Bodie and Brock Thoene are a wonderful addition to the Zondervan family of fiction,  quo; said Sue Brower, executive editor for Zondervan. “I have wanted to work with these legends in Christian fiction for a long time and am thrilled that the opportunity has finally come.”

Bodie and Brock Thoene have written more than 65 works of historical fiction with more than 25 million of these bestselling novels in print. They have won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirming what millions of readers have already discovered—the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.

 

 

Worship Artist JOHN WALLER Has A New Baby Born And Loses His Mother In The Same Week

  

This has been a week of extreme highs and lows for singer/songwriter and recording artist John Waller.

On Thursday, July 28, son Josiah Emmanuel Waller was born to Waller and his wife, Josee. On Friday, July 29, Waller’s mother, Joyce Scarbrough Waller, died of a heart attack. She is survived by her husband, four children, and 16 grandchildren.

“It’s in moments like these when you realize how deeply God loves you,” says Waller. “I am so overjoyed by the birth of my son and so very grieved by the unexpected loss of my mother. She was young. I so wanted and expected her to be holding her grandson now. Instead, she is being held by her loving Savior. Thank you for your prayers, especially for my precious father.”

A funeral service was held yesterday at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro Worship Center with John Waller and Dr. Mel Blackaby officiating.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to John and his family during this difficult time.

PRISON BREAK Actor Works At WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH

I’ve shared elsewhere on this blog that I’m a huge PRISON BREAK fan, I thought the first half of the first season was the worst but then after that it just got better.  Well in case there are any other Break fans reading this, let me ask you:  Do you remember this kid in the picture on the right who appeared in about 4 or 5 episodes?  Teabag’s little lap dog?  Remember how’s his time on the show ended?  Well I just found out a few days ago that this kid actually has a name and it’s Blaine Hogan and . . . he’s on staff at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.  How crazy is that?  Apparently he serves as a Creative Producer at Willow overseeing stuff like multimedia, and performance art.  Not too shabby.

 

He’s also a blogger over at blainehogan.com and he just released a new book called “UNTITLED: Thoughts On The Creative Process,” but the book is only available in kindle version.  I don’t know about you but I think that’s pretty cool, only thing is I wish he didn’t play such an unflattering, victimized character.