Shoe Dog; A Memoir By The Creator of NIKE

Shoe Dog Phil Knight

Most of us have seen Nike Shoes, admired them and in some cases even wore them. But all things have a beginning right.

The Shoe Dog is an extensive story of how NIKE came to existence

The story begins with Phil reminiscing about his life in 1962 and describing his perception towards the dawn of the new day. “I stretched my legs, my hamstrings, my lower back and groaned as I took the first few bulky steps down the cool road, into the fog. Why is it always hard to get started”

The writer tells about the connection he has with running and his passion for shoes.

He was ambitious and always questions himself about what he really wanted. At that time, people his age already figured out everything. Money, kids, house.

He wanted his life to “be meaningful. And purposeful. And creative. And important. Above all… different” He wanted to leave a dent on the world. “I wanted to win”

Shoe Dog is filled with interesting conversations. While speaking to the best teacher he has ever known “The cowards never started, and the weak died along the way-that leaves us”

His crazy idea came after one of his final classes, a seminar on entrepreneurship where he argued that just as how the Japanese camera made cuts into the market and dominated the market, he is also certain that Japanese running shoes would do same in the market.

He needed to explore more, he needed his father’s approval and of course he needed cash. He needed to go to Japan

His family wasn’t quite supportive

It was a few year s back that the Japanese attacked Perl Harbor.

Phil told his friend Carter about the itinerary. He was excited and was ready to go. 

At some point, Carter couldn’t complete their expedition. He’d met a Hawaiian teenager.

Phil felt it was game over. He couldn’t bear travelling alone.

But most times in life, we shouldn’t just settle in our comfort zone, go out and do things you couldn’t do or felt vulnerable of doing before. When you’re at your peak, it’s when you discover there are more hills to conquer.

Shoe Dog generally describes persistence, consistency and fighting for your passion.

For his persistence, Phil explored many cultures, experienced lifestyles he has never encountered and also learned a little Japanese. He challenged his family’s perception towards the world. Particularly  the Japanese who were their enemy at that time.

One thing I learned from Phil was that he had his eyes on the goal at every point he was at.

Phil didn’t just go to Japan and returned back to Oregon (his hometown)

He went to Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, spent New Year’s Eve in Bombay (India) just to mention a few. But still didn’t lose his focus. Shoes

While in Venice, he would express his admiration for General George S. Patton who was shoe-obsessed. “A soldier in shoes is only a soldier, But in boots, he becomes a warrior.” Focusing on the goal.

While in Berlin, he couldn’t forget a little girl’s smile and of course, her shoes. He always has his way of bringing in all down to shoes. Fixing his eyes on the goal. Shoes.

Though a book still in progress for me, I find it encouraging and also challenging. It is a book I’ve related to in a whole new dimension.

Phil’s pitch to the Executives of Onitsuka Tiger, Japan (A company Phil worked for, distributing their products in the West Coast; America) reminds me of my first pitch as an entrepreneur.

“You are capable

You are confident

You can do this.”

Review Compiled by Nannim Wuyep

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