S2 – EP. 006 – Phil Knight

Introduction

Have you ever heard of a little company called, “NIKE!” Nike is the world’s largest supplier and manufacturer of athletic shoes, apparel, and other sports equipment.  Last year alone, Nike made over $34 Billion in revenue or sales worldwide. And, they own more than 26% of the global athletic footwear and apparel market. With over 74,000 employees worldwide, they spend over a billion dollars on advertising in the US alone.  How is that for a lofty dream started by a guy who started selling running shoes out of the trunk of his car!

And that guy is none other than Phil Knight, the co-founder, and brainchild of Nike. Prior to stepping down in 2016, Knight served as the company’s CEO and chairman.  He is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.  He also owns a film production company called Liaka. Currently, Knight has a net worth of over $30 Billion.   

Listen to the podcast and learn how Phil Knight created Nike against some incredible odds. Most people would quit but Knight teaches the world how to overcome test and trail to build the largest global athletic footwear and apparel company.

Success Principles

Here are a few of the success points, I learned from Knight:

Using perseverance and determination to overcoming obstacles:

1)       Knight wanted to start a shoe company, but he had no money to start a company.  He also wanted the shoes to be manufactured in Japan. He didn’t even know of an athletic shoe manufactory in Japan.  Most importantly, he had no money or job. Oh and then there is the icing on top — And NOBODY believed in his dream except his professor, not even his father.  

2)      Gets to Japan and he doesn’t know any shoe manufacturers.

3)      Two months after the company is formed and he has been selling shoes, he received a letter from some coach claiming that he was now the exclusive distributor of Tiger shoes and ordered him to stop poaching immediately.  

And so much more…