TOMS Shoes, LLC — commonly known simply as TOMS — is a for-profit footwear and accessories company based in Los Angeles, California, USA. The brand became widely known for its pioneering “One for One” model, where the company initially donated a new pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair sold. Over time this model expanded into eyewear, coffee, and other products tied to social impact.
Founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS grew rapidly as a socially conscious business blending fashion with philanthropy. While Mycoskie was the founder and public face of the brand for many years, the company has undergone significant ownership changes over time as private investment and financial restructuring came into play.
As of today, TOMS Shoes remains a privately held company, with its ownership held by financial investors rather than a single individual or founder.
Ownership Status of TOMS Shoes
There is no single individual owner of TOMS Shoes today. The company is currently held by a group of financial investors that took control after a debt restructuring in 2019, ending founder Blake Mycoskie’s ownership stake.
Current Owners (Post-2019 Restructuring)
| Owner / Entity | Type of Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferies Financial Group Inc. | Investment Bank & Creditor | Lead creditor group that assumed control in December 2019. |
| Nexus Capital Management LP | Private Equity / Investment Firm | Part of the creditor group owning the company. |
| Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | Asset Management & Investment Firm | Investor involved in the creditor group ownership. |
Note: These entities collectively hold ownership and financial control of TOMS Shoes following a recapitalization that took place after the company faced financial challenges.
Key Ownership History Highlights
Founding and Early Years
- Blake Mycoskie started TOMS in 2006 after being inspired by a trip to Argentina and wanting to help people in need through sustainable business.
Sale to Bain Capital (2014)
- In 2014, Mycoskie sold 50% of TOMS to Bain Capital Private Equity, a major investment firm, as part of a plan to grow the business. While Mycoskie still owned the remaining 50%, Bain became a significant co-owner at that time.
Creditor Takeover (2019)
- By December 2019, TOMS faced financial pressure and could not meet the terms of its debt. A creditor group led by Jefferies Financial Group, Nexus Capital Management, and Brookfield Asset Management took over ownership in a debt-for-equity restructuring, buying out both Bain and Mycoskie’s ownership stakes.
- After this transaction, Blake Mycoskie ceased to be an owner of the company, although he remains recognized as its founder and cultural figurehead.
What This Means Today
Today, TOMS Shoes is primarily owned by institutional financial investors rather than by an individual entrepreneur or a publicly traded set of shareholders. The founder, Blake Mycoskie, is no longer an owner after the 2019 restructuring, though his influence on the brand’s identity remains part of its history.
The current ownership by financial entities is typical of private companies that go through strategic refinancing and restructuring, especially when large loans or investments are involved. These investor groups typically aim to strengthen business operations, provide new capital, and guide future growth — though the specifics of their vision may vary from the original founder’s approach.
FAQs
1. Who owns TOMS Shoes today?
TOMS is owned by a group of financial investors, including Jefferies Financial Group Inc., Nexus Capital Management LP, and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. following a restructuring in 2019.
2. Is Blake Mycoskie still an owner of TOMS?
No. Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS, no longer holds an ownership stake in the company after the creditor takeover in 2019.
3. Was TOMS ever owned by a large investment firm?
Yes — in 2014, Bain Capital bought a 50% stake in the company. That investment lasted until the financial restructuring in 2019.
4. Is TOMS publicly traded?
No, TOMS Shoes is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
5. What happened to TOMS’ famous “One for One” model?
TOMS shifted away from its original buy-one, give-one approach around 2019 in favor of broader impact strategies tied to profit shares, though its legacy remains central to the brand’s identity.
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