James Jannard Quotes 

108 James Jannard Quotes

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[In March 1997] The Absent Minded Professor. That is me. Mad science is my middle name.
James Jannard

I’m not Bill Gates. And I’m not Ted Turner.
James Jannard

[On the first frames and lenses of the Oakley M Frame] You know, it’s good, but it’s not great.
James Jannard

[More on the Oakley M Frame] Stop production! We’re going to retool the ear stem.
James Jannard

[On ‘Oscar’ - Oakley’s the first incarnation of the X metal line since renamed ‘Romeo.’] It is very encouraging to see our athletes and friends as excited as I am with Oscar. Seeing for the first time the physics of Oakley’s technology wrapped in sculpture and topped with art.
James Jannard

We won’t make more stuff just to sell more stuff. We’ll make more cool stuff because we’re so excited about the possibilities that we can hardly stand it. Becoming a billion-dollar company will be the inevitable result.
James Jannard

[As a 25 year old selling motorcycle parts out of a Honda Civic] I’d have suggestions, and the response was typically, ‘Shut up and go sell’, so I executed my own ideas.
James Jannard

[In 1983 on a particularly sun-blinded drive from San Diego to LA] I figured, ‘Why not put goggle characteristics like peripheral protection and face fit into sunglasses?’
James Jannard

Our first products incorporated lens geometry so there would be terrific optics. We received patents right from the start.
James Jannard

[On the Eye Jacket] The first pair of sunglasses with frames formed solely from computerized data.
James Jannard



We isolate ourselves to stay away from ordinary thought. If you can understand that, then you could like us.
James Jannard

[On missing an interview] I’m terrifically absentminded. I missed the appointment because I forgot.
James Jannard

[On hiring a CEO that ended up being the CEO for 6 months due to his growing concerned about] The expectations of our investors.
James Jannard

Enjoy your flight?
James Jannard

I’m consumed with the concept of Oakley, which to me means giving your most radical effort to making something better. When that thinking comes to sunglasses, sometimes the result will be a pair so outlandish that most people won’t immediately be comfortable with them. To me, that’s OK.
James Jannard

[On being never afraid to wear.] The full dose of Oakley thinking.
James Jannard

I rarely look backward. But going public is something I wish I hadn’t done.
James Jannard

I want Oakey to be big, but big alone isn’t cool.
James Jannard

We aren’t going to sell anything with defects. That’s out. Forget that.
James Jannard

People in the public arena don’t appreciate who we are. Oakley is a product-driven firm trying to make things that will keep us successful for years, and meanwhile the investors dwell on quarterly profits.
James Jannard



Sure, the stock price irritates me. It irritates the sh#t out of me. But the remedy isn’t just to grow our business. It’s to grow it in an elegant way.
James Jannard

[On his home in an isolated building on a remote island away from suits and phones.] I looked all over the world before I found this place. This is home to how I think.
James Jannard

There’s no upside to being a business celebrity. There are people who will like what I do and people who won’t like what I do. As I get more successful, that only means more fans – and more detractors.
James Jannard

[On taking over the CEO role as well as Chairman] Instead of waiting to have someone else take control of Oakley, I’m going to roll up my sleeves and do it myself. I’m so stoked to be back in the saddle! Two great entities don’t always fit together. We’ll still have some adult supervision here. And I’ll be at the company headquarters for every important meeting.
James Jannard

I’ve got to go. I’ve got a company to run.
James Jannard

[In 1996] Based on the fundamental strengths of the company and our long-term growth prospects, I believe Oakley’s stock is substantially undervalued.
James Jannard

[In 1997 on Oakley’s new $35 million headquarters in Foothill Ranch – 400,000 square feet of oversize girders, rivets and valves.] It creates an atmosphere of invention, art and a little bit of mad science.
James Jannard

[In July 1997 on him purchasing one million shares of Oakley Inc’s shares. At prices between $8.88 to $9.88/share.] I believe Oakley’s stock is substantially undervalued.
James Jannard

[In 1998 on Nike and Oakley on shoes.] I marvel that they would risk our relationship to go after part of a $200 million business against the possibility of us going after a share of a $5 billion business. It showed a great amount of disrespect. They obviously didn’t take us seriously.
James Jannard

[In 1998 on whether Michael Jordan would be wearing Oakley shoes.] Unfortunately, Michael [Jordan] will not be wearing our shoes.
James Jannard



[In 1998] We don’t want people buying our product for a logo.
James Jannard

[In 1998 on Oakley making shoes.] Maybe we’ll simply inspire other people to think about building things in the States. We don’t need to sell 2 trillion shoes. I love them. And if I don’t sell a pair, I’m happy as a clam.
James Jannard

[In 2001] We felt a lot of disrespect from the boys in Beaverton.
James Jannard

[In 2001 on buying another 1.2 million shares of Oakley Inc adding to his 41 million shares when the price was depressed.] It’s been a leap of faith. And most of our investors didn’t make it.
James Jannard

[In 2001] We don’t aim to be bigger than Nike. We aim to be better than them.
James Jannard

[In 2001] If I were [Phil] Knight, I would be nervous of us.
James Jannard

[In 2001 on a $250 pair of Oakley Romeo glasses.] An heirloom piece.
James Jannard

[In September 2001 on Oakley buying Iacon Inc a retailer having 40 stores. Which would help Oakley] Grow it’s business.
James Jannard

[In 2002] Oakley’s portfolio of inventions has never been broader or stronger.
James Jannard

[In 2003] Those are my guys!
James Jannard



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