Shoe Dog

Surely every one of us has worn a pair of shoes from this brand at some point: Nike – the brand with the Swoosh. That is the name of the famous check mark, one of the best-known logos in the world. But what many people don't know is the fascinating story behind the founding of Nike. That is exactly why I read the book by Nike founder Phil Knight – somewhat long-winded, but still incredibly exciting. In this post, you'll find out why I would recommend it to anyone who is excited by founding stories with all their ups and downs.

Basically, it's quite simple to say: it is about how Phil Knight founded the shoe distributor Blue Ribbon Sports with Bill Bowerman in 1964 and built it into the global corporation Nike.

The “how” is particularly exciting – that is, how the team behind Nike managed to master every challenge while going through highs and lows. I was fascinated to read how, step by step, they built global supply chains in order to react flexibly to a constantly changing world situation. This strategic adaptability and the will to keep rethinking things make the story not only instructive but also incredibly inspiring!

Either you're a Nike fan or you're interested in founding stories. Either way, the book would be something for you.

I have to admit that the book seemed a bit long-winded to me in places. You can tell how important it was to Phil Knight to lay out his thoughts and the reasons behind his decisions in detail. As a result, the tension fades somewhat, especially in the second half of the book.

Nevertheless, I would recommend “Shoe Dog” to anyone who is in the mood for a real founding story away from the typical tech success stories. It is an authentic look at the highs and lows of a company that is known worldwide today – and that makes it absolutely worth reading!

This is a famous screenshot of a memo by Phil Knight that was meant to set out Nike's first values.

The movie AIR is also worth recommending. It isn't about the founding of Nike itself, but about how Nike managed to win over the famous basketball player Michael Jordan.