This is the remarkable tale of Phil Knight, a man whose determination, passion for sports, and entrepreneurial spirit led him to create one of the world’s most iconic and successful athletic footwear and apparel companies- Nike.

Phil Knight was born in 1938, in Portland, USA. Growing up, he developed a love for running. He was a middle-distance runner and competed at the University of Oregon under the coaching of Bill Bowerman, a relationship that would prove crucial in the founding of Nike.

After graduating from the University of Oregon in 1959, Phil went on to pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business. At this time he wrote a paper outlining a business plan for creating a company that would distribute high-quality, low-cost Japanese running shoes to American consumers. Phil’s idea was to compete with German brands dominating the athletic shoe market at the time.

When his athletic life ended, Phil still wanted to be connected with running. That is when he decided to make his college paper a reality. He traveled to Japan to forge partnerships with Japanese manufacturers. He had a meeting with Onitsuka’s Tiger company (now ASICS), recited his whole college project and said that he represented his sports company Blue Ribbon and finally secured a deal with the Tiger company to import their running shoes to the United States. He paid for a few shoes and returned to the USA waiting for this shipment.

Even after 4 months when the shoes did not arrive, he started working as an accountant to earn his living. When the shoes finally arrived a year later, he shared them with his coach Bill Bowerman. Bill was very impressed with these shoes and immediately offered a 50% partnership. Initially it was really hard to sell these shoes. No one agreed to sell Tiger shoes in their shops. He then started to promote his shoes at sports events and this strategy was a success.

Phil used all his profits to buy more shoes. He would also take more loans from banks to buy more shoes. Since the cash flow was negative, the bank declined his loan. He once again took the job of an accountant and used that money to buy more shoes.

Phil’s success attracted the attention of Onitsuka, who demanded a majority stake or threatened to find another distributor. In response, Phil formed his own team and decided to create his own brand. Bill took these tiger shoes and modified these shoes for the American market, eventually giving birth to a new brand, “Nike,” inspired by the Greek winged goddess of victory. The iconic Nike Swoosh logo was designed by a graphic design student named Carolyn Davidson, whom Phil hired for the project.

Phil adopted a unique marketing strategy in the 1970s by leveraging athletic brand endorsements, realizing that people preferred buying shoes endorsed by their favorite athletes. He employed sports personalities to endorse the brand, setting a trend in the industry.These partnerships not only elevated the brand but also solidified Nike’s position as a leader in the athletic apparel industry.

As the 1980s arrived, the competition intensified with Reebok offering stylish alternatives. Nike responded by making a groundbreaking move, selecting Michael Jordan as a brand ambassador for Air Jordan basketball shoes. This move not only revolutionized sneaker culture but also propelled Nike ahead of Reebok. In the 1990s, Nike expanded globally, marking the culmination of Phil’s journey with the company. ” The iconic “Just Do It” slogan encapsulated Nike’s ethos, reflecting relentless pursuit and determination.

Phil Knight served as Nike’s CEO until 2004, and his journey from an average athlete with a bold idea to the co-founder of one of the most successful companies in the world is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and relentless determination. Today, Nike continues to be a global giant in the sports and fashion industry, reflecting the indomitable spirit of its founder.