08/08/2025
“I didn’t have money… but I had an idea—and the will to outrun my problems.” 👟🔥
In the 1960s, I sold sneakers out of the trunk of my car. No office. No warehouse. No employees. Just my beat-up car and a handful of pairs I bought on credit from Japan. More than once, I had to choose between eating and buying more inventory. I’d drive miles to deliver orders and come back empty-handed. Some nights, I’d sleep in my car, rain dripping through the cracks, wondering if tomorrow I’d make a single sale. 🌧️
Then, my supplier cut me off. It felt like the end. But that moment forced me to create my own brand. In a small garage, with a friend, we designed shoes using homemade molds and cheap materials. The logo—now recognized worldwide—cost me just $35. Debt piled high, and quitting often seemed easier than pushing forward. But my dream of seeing athletes wear my shoes was bigger than my fear. 🏃♂️💥
Over time, orders grew. I went from selling out of a car to signing contracts with the world’s top athletes. That logo became a symbol of grit. Every time I saw it, I remembered those cold nights and the days when no one believed in me. The journey wasn’t fast or easy—but I learned it’s not just about how fast you run. It’s about refusing to stop, even when you think you’ve hit your limit. 🌎💪
“No matter where you start, what matters is not stopping until you’ve gone further than anyone imagined.”
– Phil Knight
