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

Marketing News to Stay on Top of for Business

If you do the marketing for your organization, you know that it changes so fast that you must continually update your skills. Because of the speed, it’s a great challenge that always keeps us busy—it’s never dull. As a result, staying on top of marketing news and trends is essential. So, let’s take some time... READ MORE

Embracing Human to Human in the Digital Age

Digital dominates every aspect of our beings, and more and more algorithms are replacing analog. As a result, it’s essential to lean into the concept of ‘human to human.’ The world is facing its relentless march toward all things digital, and there’s nothing wrong with that, save when we don’t consider that the promise of... READ MORE

5 Tips for Your Marketing Strategy Plan

Everyone knows that marketing is a dynamic and constantly changing activity. As a result, it means that any team has to create a solid marketing strategy plan. A well-thought-out plan is paramount for any brand. In this article, we’ll explore five essential takeaways. So, during unending change, these five elements will help you ensure your... READ MORE

Social Listening: How to Do It For Your Brand

It used to be that communication between brands and their customers was one-directional. For example, brands would rely on advertisement, direct response, and media coverage. Thankfully, those days are long since over, helped in large part by social media. And that’s where social listening comes into the picture. As always, communication is crucial. Social listening... READ MORE

How to Donate to Charity When the World is on Fire

We seem to go from one significant global emergency to another. This was the year the world seemed to get past the pandemic fully, and now the world watches the Israeli war against Hamas. The fact is that something has been happening in the nonprofit sector. Fewer donors are giving to nonprofits. So, how can... READ MORE

Team Building Ideas That Work to Improve Your Squad

If you want to have high levels of productivity, creating a positive team culture is vital. A tight-knit team boosts morale and fosters an environment where people want to go beyond their goals. Think about it. Would you like to work at a place with a toxic work environment? Probably not. No one likes that... READ MORE

Mastering the Art of Business Storytelling

Everywhere you look, everyone’s trying to get your attention. The fact of the matter is that your customers feel the same way, and that’s why business storytelling is essential for your company. Think about it for a minute. If you scroll through your newsfeed or social, chances are you see two things if you pay... READ MORE

Guerilla Marketing and Other Unconventional Strategies

As people remember, there was a time when flash mobs were a big deal. It was lots of fun to watch videos taken by spectators as people went about their routines, and suddenly, boom, out of nowhere, there was a mob of people dancing. It worked, was loads of fun, and captivated people because it... READ MORE

Mental Health in the Workplace: Supporting Younger Staff Members

By now, many people realize that social media is addictive. Moreover, for young workers (especially young women), the algorithms target them with videos about suicide, self-harming, and body image. Teens are growing into stressed-out, depressed, and anxious young adults. According to recent reporting, a major jump from 13% to 60% of teens reported having a... READ MORE

10 Essential Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs

The difference between success and failure is all in successful entrepreneurs’ habits. As an entrepreneur, the journey to success is long and winding. Moreover, it’s even more challenging in a business landscape where continuous rapid change is now part of its DNA. However, you can position yourself for greatness and achieve your goals with the... READ MORE

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