FROM AN IDEA TO NIKE

“Dream audaciously. Have the courage to fall forward.” Nike Founder Phil Knight

This new series continues with the fascinating rise of a shoe company in FROM AN IDEA TO NIKE. Last week I took a look at another success story— FROM AN IDEA TO DISNEY.

The NIKE story begins with the birth of Philip Hampson Knight in 1938. The decisions he made as a youth led to his eventual creation of a brand with instant recognition. The road to success included many bumps and surprising twists.

Kids who see themselves as future entrepreneurs will find many lessons to help them jump start their journey. Included are the basics of business and what happens when a company goes public.

But the story belongs to Phil Knight, a motivated individual who pushed forward despite tremendous odds he would fail. I had many moments of “I didn’t know that!” while reading the ups and downs of a company that had its beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports to the multi-billion company we know today. Now I know how that NIKE Whoosh was created along with how Michael Jordon was talked into becoming a spokesperson for the brand.

Quotes, A FUN FACTS feature, and illustrations are an enjoyable sidelight to the story. Also included are a timeline of events and NIKE’s top endorsement deals. This is marketing 101 and a great way to get kids excited about owning their own business.

This summer we can look forward to FROM AN IDEA TO GOOGLE and FROM AN IDEA TO LEGO.

About the author: Lowey Bundy Sichol is the author and creator of From an Idea to…, the world’s first business biographies for kids. She is also the founder and principal of Case Marketing, a specialized writing firm that composes MBA case studies for business schools. Her MBA case studies have been published by Pearson and are read by business school students all over the world.

With over 20 years combined experience in marketing, brand management, and writing, Lowey is the force behind the From an Idea to… series, a movement that introduces business and entrepreneurship to children.

Lowey received her MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and her BA from Hamilton College where she played varsity softball and women’s rugby. When she’s not writing, you can find her throwing a ball, shooting hoops, or along the shores of Lake Michigan with her husband, three children, and two big goofy dogs who like to climb trees. Look for her online at loweysichol.com.

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