Shoe Dog – A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Everyone knows the name Nike and can visually recognize the iconic ‘swoosh’. But how did the name and swoosh become one of the most recognized brands in the world? That question and many more are answered in this book. Shoe Dog is the story of how Nike began as an idea with Phil Knight, and the struggles and perseverance it took to make Nike into the household name it is today.

Far too often people see the end result of the struggle. Nike is a huge company now that makes lots of money. But, they don’t realize that it takes a lot of work to get to that point.

Which is why I loved this book. It isn’t a self-help book, yet it’s a very gritty and honest story of the determination it takes to succeed in business and life. One of the most memorable parts for me was when Phil was interviewing a potential employee, Goef Hollister, over lunch. Phil didn’t even have money to pay for the lunch. And, Geof took the job! He believed in Phil’s vision, even though at that moment the vision couldn’t even afford a couple hamburgers.

Running a business isn’t always as glamorous as it might seem. This story strips away all the perceived glamor, and it reveals a truth. Obviously, there’s a “happy ending”. I highly recommend this book.