UT alumni Tim and Agata Scott help keep Austin’s feet warm

Take a short walk down The Drag or around downtown Austin and you’re likely to have someone ask you for a cigarette, spare change or a bite to eat. It’s rare to hear a request for another much needed item: socks. For the homeless, socks are essential, especially in biting winter temperatures. AdGrad alumnus Tim Scott and his wife, Agata, recognized this need and took action.

The Scotts formed Mitscoots in August 2012. Mitscoots’ mission is similar to that of TOMS and BOBS. Buy a pair of socks for yourself, and a pair is donated to a person in need.

“We were doing a lot of volunteer work for the homeless community and were constantly seeing the huge need for socks among those less fortunate,” Tim said. "It seemed like something that shouldn't really be a problem. It was during our time at UT that we started throwing around the idea of starting our company.”

Agata went through the Kinesiology program at The University of Texas at Austin and Tim received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, and Master of Science in Advertising during his time at UT.

“We would walk the Drag all the time and we really wanted to do something for the transient population besides handing out change from our pockets,” Agata said.

Tim orders the Mitscoots inventory every quarter, half of the socks are stored for sale and the other half are immediately dedicated to be donated, regardless of how many socks actually sell. The Mitscoots team delivers the donated socks to people in need in Austin, TX as they are needed rather than waiting until a certain number of socks are purchased first. Tim and Agata are actively involved in the giving process and it's not uncommon for them to personally hand them out with many of the other nonprofits that they work with.

“The experience is amazing,” Tim said. “It's a humbling experience to pass along something as simple as a pair of socks and watch someone’s face light up. The needy population goes through socks like you wouldn't believe and being able to help them with something so basic is a wonderful thing.”

The co-founders attribute their time and lessons at UT as a huge influence behind their business.

“I went through the creative sequence for advertising and loved every minute of it,” Tim said.

Advice Tim received from a professor inspired him and still rings true today: “Push your ideas past the point of comfortable. Great ideas should make you a little nervous.”