Phil Knight's Degree: Chapter Summary

The story begins with Phil Knight going on one of his usual morning jogs, ever since high school he has been obsessed with running, however today he feels a sense of emptiness. He reflects on his past stating that he graduated from a good high school, obtained a master’s degree in business, and endured a year in the army, but he still says he feels as though he has accomplished little to nothing in his life. He explains that the one thought he couldn’t get out of his mind was selling running shoes from Japan. He goes on to explain that after presenting his idea in a business seminar, even though nobody took his idea seriously, he still saw great promise in this business venture. He began his business with a loan of $50 from his dad. He used
this money to take himself to Japan and meet face to face with the founder of Onitsuka, a cheap Japanese running shoe company. When returning home his high school track coach Bill Bowerman agreed to join him as a business partner owning 49% of the company. Knight goes on to explain how after much conflict in the market he was able to manipulate Onitsuka to allow him to be their exclusive salesman in the Western Hemisphere. Knight continues growing and expanding his business until his small company based in Portland, Oregon had turned into the multi-billion dollar company that it is today.