In this open and captivating autobiography, Nike’s founder and CEO, Phil Knight, offers an exclusive glimpse into the company’s nascent days as a daring startup, tracing its evolution into one of the globe’s most renowned, transformative, and lucrative brands.
In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight acquired a $50 loan from his father and initiated a venture with a straightforward objective: to import high-quality, affordable athletic shoes from Japan. Commencing sales from the trunk of his lime green Plymouth Valiant, Knight managed to rake in $8,000 in his debut year. In contemporary times marked by startups, Nike reigns as the supreme exemplar, and its iconic swoosh emblem has become a revolutionary, universally recognized symbol, visible across the world.
Nevertheless, Knight, the enigmatic figure behind the swoosh, has long remained a mystery. Now, he unveils his story for the first time, recounting his experiences with candor, humility, determination, and a touch of humor. He commences with a pivotal moment of decision at the crossroads of his life. At the age of 24, following a backpacking journey around the globe, he opted for the unconventional route: launching his own business, one that would be vibrant and distinct.
Within the pages, Knight elucidates the array of risks and formidable obstacles that stood between him and his aspirations, juxtaposed with the initial victories he achieved. Above all, he chronicles the significant relationships he forged with his initial partners and employees—a disparate group of visionaries and seekers who evolved into a close-knit fraternity. Unified by a shared mission and a profound belief in the spirit of sports, they crafted a brand that brought about a seismic shift.
Knight’s memoir offers readers an intimate look into the backstory of Nike’s origins, its challenges, its early victories, and the invaluable bonds that galvanized its rise.
