Shoe Dog A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Inthiscandidandrivetingmemoir,forthefirsttimeever,NikefounderandCEOPhilKnightsharestheinsidestoryofthecompany’searlydaysasanintrepidstart-upanditsevolutionintooneoftheworld’smosticonic,game-changing,andprofitablebrands.In1962,freshoutofbusinessschool,PhilKnightborrowed$50fromhisfatherandcreatedacompanywithasimplemission:importhigh-quality,low-costathleticshoesfromJapan.SellingtheshoesfromthetrunkofhislimegreenPlymouthValiant,Knightgrossed$8,000hisfirstyear.Today,Nike’sannualsalestop$30billion.Inanageofstartups,Nikeistheneplusultraofallstartups,andtheswooshhasbecomearevolutionary,globe-spanningicon,oneofthemostubiquitousandrecognizablesymbolsintheworldtoday.ButKnight,themanbehindtheswoosh,hasalwaysremainedamystery.Now,forthefirsttime,inamemoirthatiscandid,humble,gutsy,andwry,hetellshisstory,beginningwithhiscrossroadsmoment.At24,afterbackpackingaroundtheworld,hedecidedtotaketheunconventionalpath,tostarthisownbusiness—abusinessthatwouldbedynamic,different.Knightdetailsthemanyrisksanddauntingsetbacksthatstoodbetweenhimandhisdream—alongwithhisearlytriumphs.Aboveall,herecallstheformativerelationshipswithhisfirstpartnersandemployees,aragtaggroupofmisfitsandseekerswhobecameatight-knitbandofbrothers.Together,harnessingthetranscendentpowerofasharedmission,andadeepbeliefinthespiritofsport,theybuiltabrandthatchangedeverything.,