Shoe Dog
By Phil Knight
A Memoir by the Creator of Nike. Scribner, 2016.
Summary of Shoe Dog book by Phil Knight
Nike’s never-before-told tale direct from its co-founder, the reclusive Phil Knight, who discloses the ups and downs he faced going from broke business-school graduate to billion-dollar success story.
Chapters in Shoe Dog book summary
What do you get from this book? Learn how Nike’s co-founder rose from nothing to become rich and inspire millions
Phil Knight was a business-school graduate with a love of running, no money, and a “Crazy Idea” in the making
After arriving in Japan, Phil struck a tentative deal with the Onitsuka shoe factory
Onitsuka evaded Phil on several occasions, but he found a new ally with partner Bill Bowerman
Between Bowerman and star-employee Jeff Johnson, Tiger shoes improved in style and grew in sales
Phil’s first store was a hit, but it almost wasn’t enough to satisfy Onitsuka
In the late 1960s Blue Ribbon finally began turning a profit, and Phil’s love life turned a corner
On the surface, Onitsuka seemed happy with Blue Ribbon, but Phil began to suspect that it was all an act
When Kitami tried to go behind Phil’s back, Phil turned the tables on him and started Nike
Kitami was quick to file suit, but the trial with Blue Ribbon was long and messy
A financial calamity nearly bankrupted Blue Ribbon until Nissho stepped in to save the day—but their victory was short-lived
Internal and external changes within the company threatened to derail Phil, but he never gave up
Going head to toe with the US government was a tedious battle that exhausted Phil to his core
Nike’s IPO was a success, and Phil continued leading his company for the next forty years
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Shoe Dog — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Shoe Dog book
- Entrepreneurs and businesspeople
- sports historians
- anyone interested in an underdog’s rise to success
About the author of Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
Phil Knight is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Nike. He served as the company’s CEO for forty years, and later as board chairman. Knight was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame for his Special Contribution to Sports in Oregon. In 2020, Forbes named him the twenty-fourth richest person in the world.
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Larry Olmsted
How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2021.
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