Shoe Dog Concluding Thoughts

About the Book

In a world full of out-going sports stars, Phil Knight tells his introverted and intimate story of the creation of Nike. The book begins in 1962 as Knight sets on a journey around the world. The voyage is referenced as an eye-opening turning point in his life. His trip had a purpose though, he specifically stopped in Japan to set up a manufacturer to import shoes to the United States. Once Knight returned to Oregon he created his initial company; Blue Ribbon was a running shoe company that was made by American runners for runners. In the 1960’s the shoe industry was dominated by Adidas. Nike had to make a name for themselves mainly through their co-founder Bowerman who was Oregon’s track coach and an Olympic Track Coach. Bowerman’s innovative designs include the waffle-bottom shoe and polyurethane tracks. Nike created their brand though American-raised sports stars and pioneering idea. The book often focuses on the struggles of a young entrepreneur in a struggling 1960 and 1970’s economy and concludes on the eclipse of Nike going public. Overnight, Phil Knight changed from a struggling business leader to a man worth $178 Million, yet it was never about the money. Nike has always been about challenging oneself and pursuing victory.

My Response

The book has changed my viewpoint on businesses. It’s not about the money. Knight created Nike in 1962 and for five years he worked two jobs, pulled out immense loans, and didn’t take a salary. Business is about following one’s passion and competing to always do your best. Knight never took a large paycheck while the company was private and was very hesitant to take his company public. I believe that in today’s world, business students should remember that money is not the end goal -- money will come when you pursue your passion. In his epilogue knight asks readers “think long and hard about how [the reader] want to spend their time, and with whom they want to spend it for the next forty years. I’d tell men and women in their mid-twenties not to settle for a job or profession or even a career. Seek a calling.” (Knight, Shoe Dog 381,382). I want to remind myself never to settle (don’t have a plan “B”) and search for my calling. I want to keep my plan “A” as the sole plan and always compete to achieve it.

The Takeaway

Overall, I was very impressed with the autobiography. Knight came up with the idea in 2007 and nearly a decade later, he produced an amazing piece of work. The book shows the struggles which come in business and plague a successful company such as Nike. I felt as if the mega-company was humanized and made easy to understand. Every dream starts with the first step, and the journey of Nike has been a marathon. I enjoyed being enthralled in the race side-by-side with its founder, with the goal of victory.

            The Gaughan and Tiberti is Marshall has a copy of Shoe Dog and I would encourage everyone to check it out and read it.