150th Anniversary of Tomáš Baťa

150 Years Since the Birth of Tomáš Baťa

In 2026, we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Tomáš Baťa, one of the most important Czech entrepreneurs and visionaries. Today, his name represents not only a famous footwear company but also a life philosophy that continues to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, managers, and ordinary people.

Baťa did not see business merely as manufacturing and trade. He understood it as a service to society and a path to human development.

He expressed it in his own words:

“I did not build a business. I built people – and people built the business.”

This idea became one of the pillars of the Baťa philosophy, which is still studied and developed today, for example through the activities of the Tomáš Baťa Foundation and in publications dedicated to his legacy.

 
Baťa: The entrepreneur who changed us
Tomáš Baťa achieved something that only a few manage to accomplish – he transformed not only an industry but also the way people think about work and business.

From an original family craft, he created a modern industrial system and built a company that operated in more than fifty countries around the world. At the same time, it employed tens of thousands of people and opened thousands of stores.

Baťa’s approach was different from the typical business practices of his time. He believed that the greatest value of a company lies in its people. That is why he focused on education, personal development, and responsibility. Every employee had the opportunity to grow, learn, and take responsibility for their work.

Baťa viewed a company as a community of people who create value together – not only economic value, but social value as well.

 
The Baťa philosophy: Building yourself
A large part of Baťa’s legacy is not hidden in archives but in ideas that can still be applied today.

As shown in the book Inspirace Baťa by Gabriela Končitíková, the foundation of the Baťa approach lies in a simple idea: first, you must build yourself.

The Baťa system of work and life was not based solely on performance. It was built on the harmonious development of a person – body, mind, relationships, and values. According to this approach, success is not merely the result of talent or luck. It is primarily the result of discipline, self-improvement, and a willingness to constantly grow.

Baťa believed that every person has the potential to become a better version of themselves – if they are willing to take responsibility for their own life.

 
The Courage to change yourself and the world
One of the important principles of Baťa’s philosophy was the courage to embrace change.

Tomáš Baťa was known for constantly searching for new ways, improving processes, and encouraging innovation. At the same time, however, he emphasized that change must begin with the individual.

As the materials of the Tomáš Baťa Foundation often remind us, he assessed people’s values based on their willingness to work on themselves, educate themselves, and grow. This approach was the foundation of his success. Baťa understood that a company can grow only when the people who create it grow as well.

 
Zlín – A city built on values
Baťa’s legacy is still visible today in Zlín, a city that, thanks to his vision, transformed into a modern industrial center. However, it was not only about factories. Baťa also built schools, hospitals, housing for employees, sports facilities, and cultural institutions. His goal was to create an environment where people could work, learn, and live well. For its time, this approach was exceptional and remains an inspiration for modern concepts of responsible entrepreneurship.

 
Inspiration for today
The world today is very different from the time of Tomáš Baťa. Technology, globalization, and ways of working have changed dramatically over the past hundred years.

Yet the Baťa principles remain relevant:

responsibility for one’s own work
honesty and quality
long-term thinking
service to the customer
personal development
Baťa believed that success is not accidental but the result of everyday decisions.

This is why his ideas continue to resonate with new generations – in business, education, and personal life.

 
Baťa SOBĚ – A reminder of values
The 150th anniversary of Tomáš Baťa’s birth is an opportunity to remember not only his life story but above all the values he left behind.

One of the projects that reminds us of this legacy is the Baťa SOBĚ collection. Its name symbolically refers to the idea of cooperation and solidarity that was typical of the Baťa system.

Baťa’s business philosophy was based on the principle that people create value together – for each other and for society. The collection is therefore not just a reminder of a famous name. It is also a symbolic continuation of a tradition that emphasizes work, responsibility, and the courage to create.

The collection includes a self-development journal, planners, motivational cards, stickers, to-do lists, and signed prints designed to guide you along your life journey, your goals, and your personal growth.

 
A legacy that continues
Tomáš Baťa passed away in 1932, but his ideas remain alive today. They are not only part of history – they are an inspiration for the present and the future. As shown in the philosophy described in books and projects of the Tomáš Baťa Foundation, the legacy of this entrepreneur is not a closed chapter. Rather, it is an invitation to personal growth and to a responsible approach to work and life. And that is why it makes sense to remember his anniversary.

Because true inspiration does not lie in what once was. It lies in what we are able to create thanks to it today.