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James Jannard

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Managing Real Estate Broker with Fathom Realty PB00068179

James Jannard was born in Los Angeles, California back in 1949, however he was raised in Alhambra, California.  After graduating from Alhambra High School, he attended the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.  He dropped out of school to tour the southwestern United States on a motorcycle.

In 1975, he started a one-man business out of the back of his car at motocross events.  At first it was motorcycle parts, then he began developing his own products.  The first was custom handlebar grips.  By 1991, his company employed 200 people.  In 1995, the company went public.  He sold the company in 2007 for 2.1 billion. 

Now, for the all-important question, but first a few hints.  While he was selling motorcycle parts out of his vehicle he also started selling motorcycle goggles, ski goggles and sunglasses.  He named his company after his dog, “Oakley”.

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Come for a visit stay for a lifetime.  

 

URL http://www.sellnwa.com 

Show All Comments Sort:
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Roy Kelley - that is another success story of an American entrepreneur.

Nov 19, 2020 03:01 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, James... Oakley is a name I'm only slightly familiar with but am happy to know more about it now and who was behind it. 1949 was a very good year to be born (wink, wink).

Nov 19, 2020 03:28 AM
James Dray

Tell me about it, we must be around the same age

Nov 20, 2020 05:23 AM
Barbara Tattersall
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (Keene,NH) - Keene, NH
GRI

Good Morning, James,

Good for Mr. Jannard. It seems like he was able to "do what you love and love what you do". 

Nov 19, 2020 03:58 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, James, for sharing this story.

Take care, be safe and have a great day.

Nov 19, 2020 04:02 AM
Donald Urschalitz
Lubeck Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
P.A. Realtor ABR RSPS North Palm Beach County

1949 was a great year, and I have owned many of his products. Stay safe out there.

Nov 19, 2020 04:06 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello James - I am familiar with both Alhambra California and with Oakley but didn't previously recall the connection.  I 

Nov 19, 2020 04:13 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That truly shows that if you make a good product it doesn't matter where you sell it at.  If people like it then it will catch on.  I think my sunglasses currently are Oakley's.

Nov 19, 2020 04:41 AM
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, James Dray 

Oakley Glasses: the Spirit of Top Performance and Innovation | Nerd Glasses  Fashion – Your Ultimate Guide to Stylish Geek Eyewear

Nov 19, 2020 04:51 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Amazing how some companies start as people do what they enjoy and focus on meeting a need they uncover.

Nov 19, 2020 05:12 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning James,

I still have my Aviator's and do not know if any of my motorcycle equipment is from Oakley.

Make yourself an astonishing day.

 

Nov 19, 2020 05:12 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

What a fun read James Dray . I love reading about people who are near my own age and how they succeeded with a simple idea and a great passion.

Nov 19, 2020 05:20 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning James. James, as it turned out, made the right choice. Enjoy your day!

Nov 19, 2020 05:21 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning James Dray and thank you for the wonderful story about Oakley!

Nov 19, 2020 07:17 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi James:

Great story about a very successful entrepreneur. While I did not recognize his name I am certainly familiar with the Oakley brand (and have a pair of their sunglasses I use when cycling).

Jeff

Nov 19, 2020 09:32 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Everyone has heard of Oakley sunglasses however I had never heard of the founder before. I do learn something new every day 😃

Happy Thursday James Dray 

Nov 19, 2020 10:34 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

James,

I had heard of the Oakley brand, but have not owned it.  What a fascinating story you shared with us.  A

Nov 19, 2020 11:07 AM
James Dray

They are quality if you get to try one, do so

Nov 20, 2020 05:24 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi James Dray - Alhambra caught my attention because my husband grew up not far from there. Now I can put a name to the brand! So interesting. 

Nov 19, 2020 11:10 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi James- now that was interesting. We had a good friend who always bought Oakleys. 

Nov 19, 2020 11:16 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

James Jannard was an entrepreneur par excellence.

Mar 06, 2021 04:10 PM