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I am not a sneakerhead who is obsessed with videos by Complex and sneaker shopping from Stadium goods. I have a couple of friends who considers buying shoes as an investment and spends a lot of money to acquire a rare collection. It is them who recommended me to read this book. I was not much interested in reading it initially as I had no clue what this book was about. I still purchased it due to my friend's insistence. But it sat on my TBR list for a pretty long time.

At last, when I took this one up to read, I couldn't put it down. It was that good. It changed the way I look towards the world of footwear- those who make them, those who wear them, and those who collect them.

This enthralling and riveting book is the memoir of Phil Knight, who is the CEO and founder of Nike. It tells us his extraordinary story of building up a business empire from the $50 he borrowed from his father. The author describes the integral role the relationship between Nike and athletes has played in its success. Many of the top athletes and teams are sponsored by Nike. The signing of basketball legend Michael Jordan is considered one of the significant events in Nike's history.

What I learned from this book
1) Obstacles are opportunities in disguise
The author had to face an umpteen number of setbacks in this journey. He thought about dropping his business ambitions multiple times to opt for a normal life like others. But he didn't lose hope and persisted with his efforts, and the rest is history. He shows us why it is said that obstacles are actually opportunities in disguise.

"When you see only problems, you're not seeing clearly."

2) Which is the best way to decide your career?
Phil Knight tells all youngsters the method to choose their career when standing perplexed at the crossroads of their lives. He shows us the importance of following your heart. He tells us it is vital to follow your passion instead of compromising for practicality.

"I'd tell men and women in their mid-twenties not to settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling. Even if you don't know what that means, seek it. If you're following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you've ever felt."

3) The importance of reading and traveling in building up our character
It is said that travelling and reading are both the best ways to broaden our minds. Some say that reading is better than traveling while some others think vice versa. I love both reading and traveling, and I think both are equally important in building up our character.

I am glad to know that Phil Knight also has a similar opinion and gives equal importance to reading and traveling. He is mentioning about the important books that influenced him in multiple parts of this book. At the age of 24, the author decided to see the world by travling to many countries. We can see in multiple parts of this book the author referring to this travel and how it influenced him and helped him to face all the obstacles in his life

"How can I leave my mark on the world, I thought, unless I get out there first and see it?"

My favourite three lines from this book

“Beating the competition is relatively easy. Beating yourself is a never-ending commitment�

“I refused to even consider ordering less inventory. Grow or die, that’s what I believed, no matter the situation�

"Just keep going. Don't stop. Don't even think about stopping until you get there, and don't give much thought to where "there" is. Whatever comes, just don't stop."

What could have been better?
The main complaint against this book is that the author has written it in a misogynistic, self-absorbed manner and that he is trying to glorify exploitation by saying that it is indispensable for business success. I never felt that the author is misogynistic or self-absorbed while reading this book. Phil Knight paid only $35 to the graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for the swoosh logo of Nike. When we think about it in 2021, when Nike is a $35 billion business empire, we might feel it was a cheap gesture. But we should also consider that it was done in 1971 when Nike was nothing compared to what it is today. Still, there are some areas in this book where I felt that the author could have treated his workers better.

The relationship between Tiger Woods and Nike is a controversial and debatable topic. We can appreciate the loyalty shown by Nike towards Mr. Woods during difficult times. But looking back at the seriousness of the accusations against him during his marital infidelity scandal in 2009 from this #metoo era, it can be viewed from a different angle altogether. I expected a little more in-depth analysis of that situation from Phil Knight in this book.

This book was published in 2016. Many important events involving Nike happened after that, including the campaign for boycotting Nike on social media and controversy involving Nike using the image of rebellion to sell its gear. I expect an updated edition of this book discussing these crucial topics. I also hope to see the author's view on Nike's relation with Tiger Woods from the #metoo perspective.

Rating
5/5 Please don’t miss the opportunity to read this book if you are young person who aspires to become a great entrepreneur in the future.

“It’s never just business. It never will be. If it ever does become just business, that will mean that business is very bad.�