Shoe Dog

I'll be honest, I read Shoe Dog a while back around 2001. It's on a lot of people's reading lists, so I wanted to knock it out myself. As I write this in 2024, I'm trying to recall the moments of this book that had the greatest impression on me. It's a bit fuzzy, but here are my biggest takeaways.

• Vision for the brand

I recall this great moment in the book when Phil was explaining the Nike swoosh to someone who didn't get it. His explanation was perfect: 'It's what it looks like when someone is passing you on the track.' I love this because it shows how clearly Phil understood Nike's essence - it wasn't just about selling shoes, it was about speed, competition, and the feeling of sport. Pretty deep meaning for a logo he initially paid just $35 for.

• The pivoting and persistence

Nike pivoted A LOT. They started as Blue Ribbon Sports, importing Japanese shoes (Onitsuka Tigers) and selling them in the States. When Onitsuka tried to cut them out of their importing deal, Nike made the crucial pivot to manufacturing their own shoes - which created Nike as we know it today. Even then, they kept evolving: they started with just running shoes, expanded into tennis with the John McEnroe line, then revolutionized basketball with the Air Jordans. The point is, Nike continued to reinvent itself over the years and adapted to every situation