Shoe Dog

More about the book

Young and fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed fifty dollars from his father to launch a company aimed at importing high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan. Selling from the trunk of his Plymouth Valiant, he grossed eight thousand dollars in his first year, 1963. Today, Nike's annual sales exceed $30 billion, with its swoosh symbol recognized globally. Despite this success, Knight has remained a mystery. In a candid and beautifully crafted memoir, he shares his journey for the first time. It begins with a pivotal moment at twenty-four, backpacking around the world and grappling with life's big questions, leading him to choose an unconventional path of entrepreneurship over corporate life. Knight recounts the terrifying risks, setbacks, ruthless competitors, and doubters he faced, alongside his thrilling triumphs and narrow escapes. He emphasizes the foundational relationships that shaped Nike, particularly with his former track coach, Bill Bowerman, and his first employees—a diverse group who became a close-knit team. Together, fueled by a bold vision and a belief in the transformative power of sport, they built a brand and culture that changed everything.