Shoe Dog

"Shoe dog" is industry slang for someone who has dedicated his or her life to the footwear industry. Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, is definitely one of them.

He wanted to be an athlete but didn't have the skills. Is there a way to experience what athletes did without being one? He wanted no difference between work and play. To enjoy work so much it essentially becomes the same thing.

He had an idea about importing high-quality low-cost shoes from Japan. And contrary to his father's advice, he pursued that dream, starting the Blue Ribbon shoe company that later would become Nike.

The Story

Knight's story is similar to other business memoirs where we follow a company through ups and downs and obstacles that, when conquered, take the business to the next level. What makes this book so good is not only that it's the inside story of one of the world's most iconic brands, but also that it's written in an accessible way and filled with great stories and anecdotes.

The Honest Take

I expected this to be a more inspiring book than it actually was. There is a lot of passion in his work, but I don't feel that I would like to be in his shoes (no pun intended). All work, no play.

By spending very few words on certain subjects, it really shows what wasn't prioritized for Mr. Knight. Family, children and employees (outside the board of directors) are barely mentioned except in a brief section about regrets.

"Life is a game whether you like it or not."

Phil did not believe in advertising. Not at all. A product should speak for itself.

Their board meetings? A bunch of fat drunk guys screaming insults at each other. Described as a romantic story about camaraderie, but I found it kind of depressing.