Almost Isn't Good Enough - the new book from Wayne Elsey, founder and chief executive officer of Soles4Souls - reveals what is possible when one person resolves to make a measurable impact in the world after looking directly into the eyes of the suffering, hopeless, and forgotten. This book isn't an autobiography or another collection of leadership musings from a successful corporate executive turned philanthropist. It's an invitation to intercede on behalf of others because the human connection changes everything. Whether it's a simple act of kindness or the idea to start an international relief organization, everyone can do something to make a positive difference in the life of someone else. Promises, plans, and good intentions are a waste of time and a fruitless exercise absent of action. 100% of book proceeds benefit Soles4Souls.
About the Author, Wayne Elsey
I’ve spent my entire career in the footwear industry, starting as a retailer’s stockroom assistant when I was 15 years old. Since then, I’ve held nearly every job available in the world of shoes and can relate with the joys and challenges facing manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, marketers and yes, even stockroom assistants.
Before the 2004 Asian tsunami, I wasn’t directly involved with any charities on a regular basis. I considered monetary donations to be sufficient and concentrated 100% on “making the deal” happen in the for-profit world. That was my life before it changed dramatically.
Like you, I was horrified to witness the immense devastation of the tsunami in Indonesia. I was sitting on my couch watching the news reports replay the giant waves ripping through the towns, and I felt sick to my stomach. Then I saw an image of a single shoe, stranded on a decimated beach. I felt like donating everything I had, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough.
I was determined not to stand around with my hands in my pocket, so I made a number of calls to other footwear executives and was surprised—and humbled—that my colleagues and I had raised 250,000 pairs of new shoes headed for the areas affected by the disaster.
One year later, Hurricane Katrina roared through our Gulf Coast, and I called the same people in our industry. This time we raised nearly one million pairs of shoes to hand out to people in need. Soon after, we were encouraged by many members of the footwear industry to become a full-time charity, and we jumped at the chance.
Soles4Souls has become one of the fastest-growing nonprofits in the country. The reason for this is clear: it’s a simple message that everyone can understand. We don’t need to draw complex diagrams in order to win you over. We just need you to look in your closet and find the extra pairs that could benefit people in need.
I was appointed CEO in 2006, and we have been growing ever since. The need is so real and so immediate that it’s painful. From New Orleans to Nepal, we’ve distributed more than 11.5 million pairs of shoes in more than 127 countries around the world. More than half (55% to be exact) are distributed in the US. We now give away one pair of shoes every seven seconds. I’m grateful to go to work each day with the ultimate challenge of making someone’s life better.
