Tom’s
Question
Please open the document and choose one of the companies to learn about: Cotopaxi or Toms. Both are social enterprises. Listen to the “How I Built This” podcast episode linked in the document and respond to the respective questions.
Directions: First, answer the warm up questions below in
the box to the right. Then, scroll down, pick an episode to
listen to (Cotopaxi or Toms), and respond to the
respective questions!
Warm Up Questions:
It’s common for companies now to donate to a cause,
whether money or products. For example, Bombas gives
a pair of socks to someone in need when you buy a pair.
Do you think these donations are genuine? Why do
companies do this? Are they trying to be trendy? Does it
encourage you to pick a brand over another if it supports
a social cause?
Before you listen:
Visit the Cotopaxi site. What do you observe about their
products? What does the brand seem to be about?
While listening:
Here’s the link to the episode! HIBT: Davis Smith
Respond to the questions using the space to the right as
you listen!
What was unusual about the pitch made by Cotopaxi?
What are Cotopaxi’s unique selling point/differentiators
from a brand perspective? From a business perspective?
(Hint: Check around 43:00).
What’s unique about the relationship with factory workers
where Cotopaxi is made?
How was the company launched? What was special
about the marketing event?
Briefly outline Davis Smith’s journey from his first job to
creating Cotopaxi. Include at least 4 events.
After you listen:
Now that you’ve heard the Cotopaxi whole journey, reflect
on the questions below and write your answers in the box
on the right.
Were you familiar with this brand prior to the show? How
did the interview impact your brand affinity?
What stood out to you in Davis’ story? What was inspiring
or thought provoking?
What tips do you think Davis Smith would provide to
someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?
What are character traits Davis Smith had that helped
him become a successful entrepreneur?
What’s a question you’d like to ask Davis Smith?
Before you listen:
Visit the Toms site. What do you observe about their
products? What does the brand seem to be about?
While listening:
Here’s the link to the episode! HIBT: Blake Mycoskie
Respond to the questions using the space to the right as
you listen!
What problems did Blake solve through some of the
different businesses he started?
What are risks Blake took during some of his business
ventures?
What are some serendipitous situations that propelled the
marketing of Toms shoes early on?
What was the question Blake was asked that inspired the
creation of Toms?
Why does Blake think his business is a movement?
Briefly outline Blake’s journey from his first job to creating
Toms. Include at least 4 events.
After you listen:
Now that you’ve heard the Toms whole journey, reflect on
the questions below and write your answers in the box on
the right.
Were you familiar with this brand prior to the show? How
did the interview impact your brand affinity?
What tips do you think Blake Mycoski would provide to
someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?
What stood out to you in Blake’s story? What was
inspiring or thought provoking?
What’s a question you’d like to ask Blake?
What are character traits Blake had that helped him
become a successful entrepreneur


Solution
|
|
Directions: First, answer the warm up questions below in the box to
the right. Then, scroll down, pick an episode to listen to (Cotopaxi or
Toms), and respond to the respective questions!
Warm Up Questions: It’s common for companies
now to donate to a cause, whether money or products. For example, Bombas
gives a pair of socks to someone in need when you buy a pair. Do you think
these donations are genuine? Why do companies do this? Are they trying to be
trendy? Does it encourage you to pick a brand over another if it supports a
social cause? |
Personally, I believe that the
donations are very genuine. Corporations make donations as part of achieving
their corporate responsibility and philanthropic goals. Through these
practices, the businesses are able to get involved in the activities and
interests of society. However, that does not influence my choices for a
brand. I pick my products based on the reputation and quality of the brand. |
|
|
Before you listen: Visit the Cotopaxi site. What
do you observe about their products? What does the brand seem to be about? |
|
While listening: Here’s the link to the
episode! HIBT: Davis Smith
Respond to the questions using the space to
the right as you listen! |
|
What was unusual about the
pitch made by Cotopaxi? |
|
What are Cotopaxi’s unique selling point/differentiators
from a brand perspective? From a business perspective? (Hint: Check around
43:00). |
|
What’s unique about the relationship with factory workers
where Cotopaxi is made? |
|
How was the company launched? What was special about the
marketing event? |
|
Briefly outline Davis Smith’s journey from his first job
to creating Cotopaxi. Include at least 4 events. |
|
After you listen: Now that you’ve heard the Cotopaxi whole
journey, reflect on the questions below and write your answers in the box on
the right. |
|
Were you familiar with this brand prior to the show? How
did the interview impact your brand affinity? |
|
What stood out to you in Davis’ story? What was inspiring
or thought provoking? |
|
What tips do you think Davis Smith would provide to
someone who wants to be an entrepreneur? |
|
What are character traits Davis Smith had that helped him
become a successful entrepreneur? |
|
What’s a question you’d like
to ask Davis Smith? |
|
|
|
Before you listen: Visit the Toms site. What do you
observe about their products? What does the brand seem to be about? |
Their products are mainly shoes
which are mainly meant for bot the males and females. Kids also wear Tom’s
shoes. From what I observed, they are mostly woolen, meaning that they are
worn during winter. |
While listening: Here’s the link to the episode! HIBT: Blake Mycoskie
Respond to the questions using the space to
the right as you listen! |
|
What problems did Blake solve through some of the
different businesses he started? |
Lacked enough finances to help
sustain the businesses, such as when he began the TV show He was also young and did not get
the proper guidance |
What are risks Blake took during some of his business
ventures? |
One of the risks he made was
deciding to sell the company to his creditors. It was also risky when he started
a TV channel, yet he did not have enough cash to invest. |
What are some serendipitous situations that propelled the
marketing of Toms shoes early on? |
First is when he decided that his
creditors should take over the company in the year 2006. Secondly, the form
of embedded giving that he adopted rather than the buy one-give one also
marketed the brand well. |
What was the question Blake was asked that inspired the
creation of Toms? |
When he visited Argentina, he saw
kids walking barefooted and decided that he needed to help them without
making donations but rather establish a profitable and sustainable business. |
Why does Blake think his business
is a movement? |
Because before even turning 30
years, he had already established four companies. |
Briefly outline Blake’s journey from his first job to
creating Toms. Include at least 4 events. |
Blake walked to Argentina to work
as a volunteer. His first business began when he
was a Freshman in college He later broke out of college to
focus on the operations of the firm. Consequently, he decided that
creditors should take over the company.
|
After you listen: Now that you’ve heard the Toms whole journey,
reflect on the questions below and write your answers in the box on the
right. |
|
Were you familiar with this brand prior to the show? How
did the interview impact your brand affinity? |
I did have some know-how, just
after reading from a paper a few years ago. However, the interview had some
effect on me when it came to brand affinity. I learned that the company did
not use the donations strategy to lure customers but wanted to profit while
providing quality. |
What tips do you think Blake Mycoskie would provide to
someone who wants to be an entrepreneur? |
First of all, entrepreneurs must
possess self-awareness and reflection. Blake is focused on exploring the
world and learning to get inspired |
What stood out to you in Blake’s story? What was inspiring
or thought provoking? |
I believe that he was motivating
in that, although he was young, he was ready to come out change the world. |
What’s a question you’d like
to ask Blake? |
Do limits exist when it comes to
profit motivation? |
What are character traits Blake had that helped him
become a successful entrepreneur? |
Creativity Motivational Passion
|




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