Tools

Explore

Videos Channels Figures

Atmrix

Tools

Explore

Videos Channels Figures

Atmrix

PK

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

The idea for Nike came from my track coach's belief that lightweight shoes were neglected by major manufacturers, leading me to consider starting a shoe factory in Japan instead of Germany.

Video

Phil Knight, MBA ’62, Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, Nike

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

Phil Knight, MBA ’62, Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, Nike

02/08/19

Related Takeaways

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

Nike's success with Michael Jordan stemmed from combining a distinctive shoe design with his exceptional talent, which resonated with consumers, especially after the NBA banned it.

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

The early Nike team was a bizarre group that complemented each other and believed in overcoming challenges together, which made it a successful culture.

OpenAI Cast

04/09/25

@ OpenAI

Let's assume I'm a corporate financer at a sneaker company researching feasibility and opportunities in the Japanese market.

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

Nike's culture, formed in the early days, is a big part of its success and has been modified but remains fundamentally strong.

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

I believed that if I could get a cooperative Japanese factory, we could make the idea work, and I was willing to take the chances despite being an introvert.

Phil Knight

02/08/19

@ Stanford Graduate School of Business

The product is Nike's most important marketing tool, and we continuously work to improve it, as seen with the success of the React running shoe.

Chip Wilson

06/10/23

@ Tony Robbins

My marketing strategy focused on building relationships with key influencers rather than competing directly with established brands like Nike and Adidas.

Alfred Lin

07/31/14

@ Y Combinator

Tony almost deleted a voicemail where he pitched the idea of selling shoes online, despite doubts about whether people would buy shoes without trying them on.

Alexandra

09/18/18

@ Y Combinator

After sharing his ideas with his friend Max, they built a prototype of our first product in a garage, which led to the decision to turn it into a company.