Episode 88: John O’Donnell | Johnnie-O Clothing Brand Founder
Episode 88: John O’Donnell | Johnnie-O Clothing Brand Founder
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Rich Take On Sports
Show Notes:
- Rich Spotlight: John O’Donnell
- Grew up in the midwest with 6 brothers and sisters and still misses the midwest but has fully embraced the California lifestyle
- Introduced to golf at an early age and realized that golf was an avenue for him to compete
- Fell in love with UCLA as a kid after his family moved to California for a couple of years
- Walked-on the UCLA golf team and would move back to the midwest to start a career in tv/radio ad sales
- Eventually worked with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox before taking an opportunity in Los Angeles with the Golf Channel
- A good friend had a logo concept that John thought would be a great idea as the logo for a preppy west coast clothing brand
- Never wanted to call the brand Johnnie-O but family and friends convinced him that the name was a natural fit and the iconic logo with the surfer dude and paddleboard made the brand complete
- John is still amazed that the company now has 60 employees and the brand is carried in over 1,200 shops but he doesn’t forget the early days of trunk shows in living rooms
- Staying humble in sports has carried over into the development of Johnnie-O and he continues to learn more about the fashion industry and business each day
- Words of Wisdom from John O’Donnell: “Give it a shot and always keep things in perspective.”
Social Media:
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports
To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports
To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports
To Follow Johnnie-O on Twitter: @johnnieO
To Follow Johnnie-O on Instagram: @johnnieobrand
To Purchase Johnnie-O clothing: Johnnie-O
Featured Image Photo Credit: Johnnie-O | Instagram
About the author, Richmond Weaver
Richmond, a graduate of Clemson University has been involved with sports for most of his life and developed a passion for basketball and sports at an early age. He currently lives in Greenville, SC with his wife Karen, founder of Upstate Esthetics and their three kids.