How A Failed Athlete Built NIKE | Hindi

Summary

This video recounts the inspiring journey of Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. Initially a failed athlete, Knight started selling Japanese Tiger shoes from the trunk of his car. Partnering with coach Bill Bowerman, they created Blue Ribbon Sports, later rebranded as Nike. Despite challenges, including a betrayal by their Japanese supplier, they launched their own brand. With innovative marketing, including athlete endorsements, and a focus on quality and design, Nike grew into the world's largest sportswear brand. The story emphasizes perseverance, execution, and following one's passion.

Takeaways

• 👟 Nike is the world's largest sportswear brand, earning around thousand crore rupees every day.
• 🏃‍♂️ Phil Knight, Nike's founder, was a failed athlete who started his business selling shoes from the trunk of his car.
• 🎓 After realizing he couldn't become an elite athlete, Phil used his MBA research on Japanese shoes to start his business.
• 🇯🇵 Phil partnered with Onitsuka, a Japanese company, to import Tiger shoes to the USA, initially operating under the name Blue Ribbon Sports.
• 🤝 Phil's college coach, Bill Bowerman, became his 50% business partner, contributing his expertise in shoe design.
• 🚗 Phil sold the shoes directly from his car at athletic events, quickly gaining popularity among athletes.
• 💰 Despite initial financial struggles and needing loans, Blue Ribbon Sports grew, eventually rebranding as Nike.
• ✔️ The Nike logo, inspired by a thick check mark, was created by a graphic design student for $35.
• 🏅 The brand name 'Nike' was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory and suggested by an early employee.
• 🏀 Nike's innovative marketing, including athlete endorsements like Michael Jordan, helped it become a global leader in sportswear.

Q & A

Who is Nike's founder and what was his initial career ambition?

Nike's founder is Phil Knight, who initially aimed to become a great athlete, particularly excelling in running.

What was the turning point for Phil Knight that led him to start his own business?

The turning point for Phil Knight was when he realized he could not become a national or international level athlete and decided to stay close to sports by starting a shoe business.

What was the name of the company Phil Knight initially represented when he first met with Onitsuka?

Phil Knight initially represented a company called Blue Ribbon Sports, which did not actually exist at the time of his first meeting with Onitsuka.

What was the significance of the shoe model 'Cortez' in Nike's history?

The Cortez was a shoe model designed by Bill Bowerman, tailored for Americans' longer and heavier bodies compared to the Japanese. It became super successful and contributed significantly to Nike's rise in the American market.

How did Nike overcome the challenge of Reebok's growing popularity in the 1980s?

Nike overcame the challenge by signing Michael Jordan as a brand ambassador and launching the Air Jordan sneakers, which combined performance and style, appealing to the changing preferences of consumers.

What was the key strategy Phil Knight used to sell the Tiger shoes effectively?

Phil Knight's key strategy was to sell the Tiger shoes directly at athletic competitions, leveraging his own experience as an athlete to understand and convince customers of the shoes' benefits.

What was the reason behind Nike's initial struggle to secure sales in sports shops?

Nike initially struggled to secure sales in sports shops because the shops refused to sell Tiger shoes, likely due to being unfamiliar with the brand or its quality.

How did the relationship with Onitsuka end and what was the consequence for Nike?

The relationship with Onitsuka ended when they demanded to buy 51% of Blue Ribbon's stake, which Phil Knight refused. Consequently, Nike decided to create its own brand, leading to the birth of Nike as we know it today.

What was the inspiration behind Nike's logo and how much was the design fee paid to the graphic design student?

The inspiration behind Nike's logo was to evoke a sense of running, motion, and victory, and it needed to fit the side of the shoe. The design fee paid to the graphic design student was 35 dollars.

Who suggested the name 'Nike' for the brand and what is its significance?

The name 'Nike' was suggested by Jeff Johnson, the first salesman of the company, who dreamt of the name. It is significant as Nike is the Greek Goddess of Victory, aligning with the brand's focus on athletics.

What was Phil Knight's advice in his book 'Shoe Dog' about pursuing one's ideas despite challenges?

In his book 'Shoe Dog', Phil Knight advised to keep going and not to stop until achieving the goal, regardless of what others say, and to take calculated risks when passionate about an idea.