Wayne Elsey
Founder

About Wayne

Transforming Business Through Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship

Wayne Elsey has spent his career proving business can do more than make a profit—it can change lives. As founder and CEO of Elsey Enterprises, he leads companies like Funds2Orgs and Sneakers4Good that give shoes and sneakers a second life and communities a chance to thrive.

His journey started after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Seeing people in need, Wayne acted quickly to collect shoes. That simple response grew into a movement. Today, his companies have helped redistribute over 37 million pairs of shoes, keep them out of landfills, support micro-entrepreneurs in 24 countries, and create jobs across the U.S.

Wayne works with an execution-first philosophy: act boldly, measure results and build teams that get things done. This approach has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, the Today Show and Fox News.

He’s also a Forbes Business Development Council member, a contributor to Brainz Magazine and the author of books including Tied Together: A Pathway to Hope, the Not Your Father’s Charity series, and

Almost Isn’t Good Enough. Through coaching and speaking, Wayne encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to see they already have the tools to make impact—they just need to take the first step.

At the end of the day, Wayne believes sustainability is about people as much as the planet. Every reused pair of sneakers tells a story of dignity, opportunity and a better future.

Wayne's latest articles

What is the Reuse Economy? And Why it Matters

I’d like to tell you about Roosevelt, who lives in the Caribbean. To earn a living, he sold candy to feed his eight kids, but he didn’t earn enough. So, one day, his brother suggested that he sell shoes. That suggestion changed his life, and with a steady income, he was able to provide for... READ MORE

Quotes on Resilience: Why Resilience Is Your Superpower

The world can feel broken, but it’s probably felt like that to humans at times since the beginning. In the last 100+ years alone, we’ve had several world and regional wars, the Great Depression, significant economic downturns, and now lots of disruption from AI. That’s why looking at quotes on resilience helps boost mindset. In... READ MORE

Why Tipping Culture Is Bad for Everyone

Recently, I visited my family and stopped by Auntie Anne’s for a pretzel. It was nothing fancy, and I just needed a bit of a boost at the mall. When the cashier rang up the pretzel, she motioned to the POS machine so I could tap my phone, and as she said it, she told... READ MORE

Why Positive Mindset Drives Leadership Success

When business leaders ask me about the most valuable lessons I’ve learned about leadership, I think they expect me to talk about the hard-won wisdom that’s earned in the board or conference rooms. But candidly, my leadership journey started much earlier with the lessons that came from my father. Everyone called him “Mr. Fix-It,” and... READ MORE

How to Measure Impact for Your Nonprofit

Every day, our team works with creative and even scrappy nonprofits, making an impact in their communities. So many large and small organizations do incredible work across our country. But a big question is how to measure impact, especially if you’re a team member of a small organization or one with limited financial resources to... READ MORE

Understanding the Circular Economy and Corporate Manipulation

The Netflix documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy remains an unsettling film about the power of corporations that explores the impact of consumerism on our purchasing habits. Every day, corporations manipulate us into believing that we’re missing out on the latest trends, but we can resolve this by buying more and more. Fast fashion is... READ MORE

The Problem with Donations for Nonprofits

For generations, the idea and actions of making donations have been integral to our communities. The thought of giving to a good cause shows generosity, community, and selflessness. Still, donations alone won’t save our social issues. And as a result of AI and its power, it’s essential for nonprofits to innovate and get out of... READ MORE

Why Ethical Business Matters in the Reuse Economy

I regularly travel to all sorts of places worldwide for business. My team at Funds2Orgs and Sneakers4Good works with governments around the globe. We advocate for important issues, including educational awareness and human rights. We also seek policies supporting the quality reuse market and ethical business practices. Over the years, I’ve ensured that my brands... READ MORE

How to Save Money Quickly in Today’s Uncertain Economy

People are worried during tough economic times, and they talk of inflation or even stagflation, which could lead to job losses. It is precisely during these times when there’s concern about interest rates and job security that one should consider how to save money quickly. The fact is that being liquid and having as much... READ MORE

Why Fast Fashion Fails in Developing Nations

I’ve traveled regularly to and from Costa Rica, and during that time, I’ve worked on a book about fast fashion and the reuse economy. We have a significant global waste problem that is killing the planet and adversely affecting living beings. What if I told you that between 100 to 150 billion pieces of clothing... READ MORE

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