Phil Knight faced significant challenges in growing his shoe business, Blue Ribbon. His company lacked equity, relying on bank credit. His banker, Bob Wallace, was reluctant to extend Blue Ribbon’s credit. Wallace considered Knight too high-risk. In 1965, Knight worked his day job at Price Waterhouse. He served in the US Army Reserves. This was on top of getting Blue Ribbon off the ground. Bill Bowerman, Knight’s partner, met with their Japanese supplier, Onitsuka. Still slow to deliver, Onitsu

There was too much work for Phil Knight to do alone. He hired his sister part time. He needed more help. He’d given a pair of Tigers to an acquaintance named Jeff Johnson. They knew each other from track meets. Jeff had sold shoes for Adidas. Now he worked as a social worker. Jeff started a family and needed to earn more cash than his day job could provide. Phil offered Jeff a commission sales job to sell Tiger shoes. Enthusiastic about selling the shoes, Jeff suggested expanding the business.

There was no such thing as venture capital in 1965. US Bank had turned him down. First National Bank was hesitant. There wasn’t any equity. Blue Ribbon Sports was cash flow negative. Phil Knight’s fledgling shoe business was outgrowing its cash balance. His balance was zero. Still, he asked the bank for another letter of credit. That wasn’t his only problem. Now he had competition.Last week on Methods of Prosperity Phil was unaware of the Marlboro Man. He used to be a model in the ad for Marl...

What makes you happy? That’s a trick question. This newsletter is not about happiness. It’s about how to become a billionaire. The irony is that, doing what makes you happy can make you a billionaire. For Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, wealth and success is a byproduct of chasing after your bliss. Nike was co-founded by Phil Knight and his track coach, Bill Bowerman, on January 25, 1964. The original name of the company was Blue Ribbon Sports. They rebranded to Nike, Inc. on May 30, 197...