Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes

Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes with the simple promise to give a pair of new shoes to children in need around the world for every pair of shoes sold. His business plan is changing the way consumers shop and think about their buying power. As of April 2010, TOMS Shoes has given away more than 600,000 pairs of shoes around the world, thanks to its one-for one business model. For more about the day's events or to register, visit www.lorainccc.edu/mgm.

Mycoskie's presentation tops off LCCC's celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week – November 14-20 – with a full day of events focused on traditional and social entrepreneurship starting at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 17 at LCCC's Stocker Arts Center. The first event will be a question and answer session with a panel of local entrepreneurs from a wide range of business sectors. Panelists are: Charlie Malta, artist and founder of Guice Mann Outfitters; Tony Madalone, founder of Fresh Brewed Tees; Sharie Renee, founder of Cosmic Bobbins; Jordan Bowerman of Invent2Day; and Frank Whitfield, founder of Eden Vision.

Following the panel discussion, the public is invited to attend an Entrepreneur Fair, reception and networking event. Local, in-residence and student entrepreneurs will showcase their work during the entrepreneurial fair following the panel discussion. The Entrepreneur Fair will be open until 1 p.m. These events are free and open to the public.

More about Mycoskie:
In 2009, TOMS received the prestigious ACE Award from the U.S. State Department, presented to only two companies a year who promote corporate social responsibility, innovation, and exemplary practices. Embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of a new generation, Mycoskie has created five businesses since college. In the Bill Gates Time magazine article, How to Fix Capitalism, TOMS is cited and Mycoskie caught the attention of AT&T, who has featured him in a major national ad campaign. Before TOMS Shoes, he ran a successful national campus laundry service, sold a media company to Clear Channel, and ran an online driving school featuring hybrid cars. Between business ventures, he competed in the CBS' primetime series, The Amazing Race. With his sister, Paige, Blake traveled the world and came within minutes of winning the $1 million dollar grand prize. Blake Mycoskie is an avid reader and traveler. He is 33 years-old and lives on a sailboat in Los Angeles. www.toms.com/blakes-bio