![]() ![]() I loved the founder’s initial story – his journey around the world, his final stop at Japan to import good quality shoes that he could sell in the US market, his struggles with his Japanese suppliers, etc. Would you believe his bankers repeatedly asked him to slow down with sales? Nike’s biggest issue those days were exploding sales, and the consequent backlash from creditors for the exploding demand – and the increased funding requirement that came with it! And to say that they had a very conservative approach towards funding is an understatement. In the 70’s, when Phil started Nike along with his shoe-dog (fanatic) athletic coach ‘Bill Bowerman’, one could only approach the banks for funding. Other founders also have funding issues, but once the business model is established and the revenue starts flowing in, funding is not that big an issue. But Phil Knight’s major issue, right up to Nike went public – many years after its inception, was Insufficient Funding. Most startups face the issue of product-market fit or insufficient sales. If you think building a brand from a start-up without capital is easy, read this book. This is one of those rare business autobiographies that is not only well written but is also entertaining – at places. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the creator of Nike is the Blue Ribbon/Nike founder autobiography (by Phil Knight). ![]()
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