Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley was founded by an entrepreneur named James Jannard, who began with a $300 initial investment. That it has subsequently grown into the legendary sunglasses brand that it has become is difficult to comprehend. Luxottica, a firm based in Milan, had previously bought the property. Despite this, Oakley continues to operate from its headquarters in Lake Forest, California. The company, which was founded in 1975, went public in 1995 and raised $230 million in its first public offering. Since then, it has expanded its product line to include ski goggles and chin guards, among other things. After selling the company, James Jannard decided to venture into a different field. He founded Red Digital Cinema in 2007 to serve that market.
Converse
Converse, well known for its high-top canvas shoes, was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1908. When the Second World War broke out, the company had no choice but to halt manufacturing completely. During that period, the company produced shoes for the military. Once the war was finished, it returned and maintained some characteristics in its products. Converse’s fortunes altered dramatically after the company declared bankruptcy in 2001. In 2003, the athletic shoe giant Nike purchased the company to keep it viable. With a parent business that controls a large number of plants in China, it began to be made in other countries as well. Shoes are presently manufactured in India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among other countries.