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- The Key to Nike's Success
Do you know this man?
It’s okay if you don’t.
But he’s made something that you’re very familiar with.
Nike
There’s an important lesson about communcation skills in his story.
You see, Phil Knight didn’t start out as someone destined for greatness.
He was a shy college runner from Oregon with a wild idea and no money.
In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil had an idea he couldn’t let go.
One day, while jogging, he had an idea:
What if running shoes could be better?
Lighter? Stronger?
Most shoes at the time came from Germany, but Phil thought Japanese manufacturers could make them better and cheaper.
It was a wild idea, but Phil couldn’t shake it. He called it his “crazy idea.”
With nothing but this belief, he booked a flight to Japan.
There, he pitched himself as the U.S. distributor for a Japanese shoe company, Onitsuka Tiger.
Phil had no business, no store, and no team.
But his passion convinced them to take a chance on him.
When the first shipment of shoes arrived, Phil sold them from the trunk of his car.
He drove to track meets, talking to anyone who would listen about how these shoes could change the game.
It wasn’t easy. Many people told him no, and he worked two jobs to make ends meet.
By 1971, things got even harder. Onitsuka Tiger tried to cut him out of the business entirely.
Phil had a choice: give up or start over.
What do you think he chose?
Of course, He chose to start over.
He created a new brand and named it Nike, after the Greek goddess of victory.
A design student created the swoosh logo for $35, and Phil decided to run with it.
But starting Nike didn’t solve everything. He faced constant cash flow problems, production delays, and fierce competition from giants like Adidas and Puma.
Still, Phil didn’t sell just shoes—he sold belief.
He told stories about athletes pushing their limits and overcoming odds.
In 1988, Nike launched its famous slogan: Just Do It.
Those three words captured everything Phil had been fighting for since day one.
The slogan turned Nike into a movement.
It wasn’t just about sports anymore; it was about courage and action.
Today, Nike is one of the biggest brands in the world.
But it all began with Phil Knight selling shoes out of his car and refusing to quit.
What’s important for you to know: Belief is powerful. When you believe in your idea, others will believe too.
Yasir’s quote: Speak with passion because:
If they feel it, they believe it.
So, what are you passionate about that you want the world to know about?
Give it some thought!
- Yasir Khan
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