Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: Summary & Notes
by Phil Knight
Related reading: "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!", Bad Blood, Going Infinite
In One Sentence
The Nike founder's memoir of building a global brand from nothing—a story of near-bankruptcy, legal battles, and relentless pursuit of a crazy dream.
Key Takeaways
- Start before you're ready
- Believe when nobody else does
- The early years are a constant struggle
- Build a team of misfits who care
- Near-death experiences are part of entrepreneurship
- Success looks inevitable only in hindsight
Summary
One of the best business memoirs I’ve read. The story of Nike as told by cofounder Phil Knight is one of perseverance, luck, and skill, and there’s something for every entrepreneur to learn from the journey. Highly recommend.
Who Should Read This Book
- Entrepreneurs and founders
- Sports and business enthusiasts
- Anyone building something from nothing
- Memoir lovers
FAQ
What is Shoe Dog about?
Phil Knight's memoir of founding Nike—from importing Japanese shoes with to building a B brand. It's surprisingly honest about near-failures, cash crises, and the chaos of entrepreneurship.
Click to expand comprehensive chapter-by-chapter breakdown (~15-20 min read)
