#24 - Building the internet’s most iconic tie brand with my brother - Fameez Haroon, co-founder at Otaa

Use code JAMESLAWLEY10 to get 10% off ties, shirts, accessories and more at https://otaa.com/

Fameez Haroon is one of the founding brothers of Otaa – a men’s accessories brand from Melbourne, Australia.

Despite having no prior experience in the clothing industry, Fameez and his brother have grown the company into one of the most popular tie brands in e-commerce.

Their designs have been worn by not only Hollywood actors, but also Robert F. Kennedy and Fox News anchor Jesse Watters.

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: OTAA, discount code & who is Fameez Haroon

00:39 – The rebellious origin story: a bad shop experience that started OTAA

04:58 – Outsiders in fashion: first principles, no pedigree & anti-snobbery

08:09 – Year one realities: overdue bills, no traffic & playing the long game

15:03 – “How to tie a tie”: YouTube tutorials & early Instagram growth

21:18 – Jesse Watters, Fox News & the real power of traditional media

23:05 – Hollywood, politicians & how OTAA ends up on screen

29:34 – Do ties still matter? Dressing well, Covid & the return of formalwear

37:06 – Designing Bond-level style with data, movies & accessible luxury

41:30 – Style rules vs creativity, AI and why real people still matter

59:20 – Knock-offs, customer intimacy & scaling a founder-led global brand

1:05:55 – Fameez’s daily routine, law school dropout story & final advice