TOMS didn't have to focus on advertising, but on giving in a way that's sustainable.

I surround myself with inspirational quotations. This easy-to-follow piece of advice has played a huge role in my being able to get past my own fears and insecurities throughout my entrepreneurial career.

[People] had never heard about someone giving something away every time they sold something.

The most important things are actually the easiest to obtain: great friends, good food, and a decent bottle of wine.

One day, when I own a house, I'll keep a library full of books. Books are different from other possessions-they're more like friends.

Giving feels good, but it's also good for the bottom line. Charity is a viable growth strategy for a lot of companies. Our customers get excited to be a part of what we're doing. If you ask anyone wearing Toms how they first heard about us, most won't mention an advertisement; they'll say a friend told them our story.

Who is Tom? There is no Tom. If we sell a pair of shoes today, we give away a pair of shoes tomorrow. Originally we thought of "Tomorrow's Shoes," but I could only fit "TOMS" on the label. I had no idea everybody would want to meet him. There is no Tom; it's an idea for a better tomorrow.