Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Coach Gottfried sits down with Johnnie O’Donnell, CEO and Founder of Johnnie-O apparel, and discusses the journey he’s been on the last 20 years of his life as he dreamt, planned, and built Johnnie-O apparel into what it is today. From growing up on the north shore of Chicago to moving out to Los Angeles for school, Johnnie was exposed to many different styles of mens apparel. He dreamed of combining the khaki & polo edge with the lax surfer grunge and to bring that “in between” to life. The success of Johnnie-O apparel today is the that dream alive and well.
02:32 – “Don’t underestimate something you never thought you’d do.”
04:48 – Surf logo meets Polo Ralph Lauren style.
07:33 – Johnnie-O brand experiences a rough start but slowly and surely gets going.
15:58 – Johnnie talks about the success he found in sports broadcasting and how that ultimately led him into the Johnnie-O brand.
18:45 – Johnnie talks about his brand promotion through unconventional methods without an advertisement budget.
21:38 – He speaks on the difficulty he had naming the company, brother suggests “Johnnie-O.”
24:22 – Johnnie speaks to his lucky timing. He had an evolving brand, at the right time.
28:22 – Johnnie speaks to how he looked at hiring and how he based it on cultural fit over talent.
30:11 – Johnnie was adamant that company culture be focused on teamwork and growth.
33:09 – Coach asks Johnnie his favorite question, “What characteristics would you breathe into your children?”
44:19 – Johnnie talks about his partnerships with physical storefront benefits.
47:40 – Coach has an inquiry about using bad words vs. praise.
50:06 – He is now able to promote in UCLA stores, drive revenue, and attract new customers.
Coach Gottfried sits down with Johnnie O’Donnell, CEO and Founder of Johnnie-O apparel, and discusses the journey he’s been on the last 20 years of his life as he dreamt, planned, and built Johnnie-O apparel into what it is today. From growing up on the north shore of Chicago to moving out to Los Angeles for school, Johnnie was exposed to many different styles of mens apparel. He dreamed of combining the khaki & polo edge with the lax surfer grunge and to bring that “in between” to life. The success of Johnnie-O apparel today is the that dream alive and well.
02:32 – “Don’t underestimate something you never thought you’d do.”
04:48 – Surf logo meets Polo Ralph Lauren style.
07:33 – Johnnie-O brand experiences a rough start but slowly and surely gets going.
15:58 – Johnnie talks about the success he found in sports broadcasting and how that ultimately led him into the Johnnie-O brand.
18:45 – Johnnie talks about his brand promotion through unconventional methods without an advertisement budget.
21:38 – He speaks on the difficulty he had naming the company, brother suggests “Johnnie-O.”
24:22 – Johnnie speaks to his lucky timing. He had an evolving brand, at the right time.
28:22 – Johnnie speaks to how he looked at hiring and how he based it on cultural fit over talent.
30:11 – Johnnie was adamant that company culture be focused on teamwork and growth.
33:09 – Coach asks Johnnie his favorite question, “What characteristics would you breathe into your children?”
44:19 – Johnnie talks about his partnerships with physical storefront benefits.
47:40 – Coach has an inquiry about using bad words vs. praise.
50:06 – He is now able to promote in UCLA stores, drive revenue, and attract new customers.
