DiscoverAlmost Immediately w/ James Lawley#24 - Building the internet’s most iconic tie brand with my brother - Fameez Haroon, co-founder at Otaa
#24 - Building the internet’s most iconic tie brand with my brother - Fameez Haroon, co-founder at Otaa

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

Update: 2025-12-02
Share

Description

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.

Enjoying this podcast? Then you'll love the Gentleman's Digest – a weekly newsletter of reflections, recommendations, and challenges personally written by James and sent to your inbox every Sunday.

Become a reader here 👉 https://mailchi.mp/gent-z/q6eh1wuyqc

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

Comments 
In Channel
Episode 6 - AskOkey

Episode 6 - AskOkey

2024-06-1601:08:32

Episode 5 - 40OverFashion

Episode 5 - 40OverFashion

2024-06-0901:38:05

loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

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

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

James Lawley