Early Life
James Jannard was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1949. He grew up in Alhambra, California, where his family owned a pharmacy. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy but dropped out. Jannard's entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, starting with selling motorcycle parts from the trunk of his car.
Rise to Success
In 1975, Jannard founded Oakley, Inc., initially selling motorcycle parts. He named the company after his English Setter, Oakley Anne. He began developing his own products, including custom handlebar grips, motorcycle goggles, ski goggles, and eventually, sunglasses. Oakley's sunglasses gained popularity, boosted by endorsements from athletes. Jannard took Oakley public in 1995. In 2007, he sold Oakley to Luxottica for $2.1 billion. His company, named after his dog, became known for innovative sunglasses popularized by athletes like Greg LeMond.
Key Business Strategies
Jannard's success stemmed from a combination of innovation and shrewd business decisions. His focus on quality and design set Oakley apart. He built a strong brand identity, using athletes to promote the products. He restricted sales to Sunglass Hut in the 1980s, but he ensured the brand's exclusivity. After selling Oakley, he founded Red Digital Cinema Camera Company in 2005. Red Digital released the RED ONE in 2007.
Philanthropy
While Jannard's philanthropic activities are not widely publicized, his personal net worth and real estate holdings suggest he has the capacity for significant charitable contributions. He is reported to have donated to charities. In 1997 he paid $22 million for an island off Puget Sound, and has worked to save the rare Ryuku sika deer found on the island.
