Lisa O’Hurley, founder and CEO of Lohla Sport women's sports apparel, discusses why being a golfer is good for business, why starting a company in a pandemic has no comparison and why a particular television network holds her attention in December.
The First Call: Please give us a short overview of your company.
Lisa O'Hurley: Lohla Sport is a premium ladies sportswear line rooted in the sport of golf and fit for the country club, resort, travel and leisure set. Our tops, skorts, pants and outerwear are designed in London and manufactured in Europe. Lohla Sport blends European styling with Los Angeles flair in coordinated collections for the American sporting lifestyle.
TFC: What is your handicap index?
LO: 5.3.
TFC: What time do you wake in the morning, and what time do you typically start the workday?
LO: 6 a.m., 6:05 a.m. so that I can get an hour of work in before my husband and son wake up and we have breakfast together.
TFC: What are key elements to leadership or to being a good leader?
LO: Enjoy it. Have fun with the product, your customers and employees. If it doesn't seem enjoyable and enriching, we don't do it.
TFC: What changes, if any, have you made based on the events of the past year?
LO: We started our business during the pandemic, so, unfortunately, it's all we know. We look forward to a more open society with more one-on-one interactions with our wholesale and online customers.
TFC: What's the secret to your success?
LO: I believe it's that I'm a golfer and I know the lady golfer. I know what I want to wear and be seen in on and off the course. I want our product to maintain the same level of style that we ladies wear off the golf course. There is no reason to cast style aside just because we are playing golf.
TFC: Who is your role model?
LO: Cindy Davis (former Nike Golf president) in the golf world. Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx) in the fashion world.
TFC: Knowing what you know today, what professional advice would you give a younger you?
LO: Learn as much as you can from people who excel in their respective fields, whatever that may be. Successful tactics transcend fields.
TFC: What’s the last book you read?
LO: “To Rescue the Republic” by Bret Baier.
TFC: What’s the last movie you saw?
LO: Really? You're asking me this in December? Well then, it was "Christmas at the Plaza" or maybe it was "Small Town Christmas" on Hallmark. I'm addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies. Like really addicted.
TFC: What’s on your playlist?
LO: The usual … The Weeknd, Abba, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift. Anything I can dance to. I tend to dance while I pack shipments. Little known fact.
TFC: When I’m not at work, you can find me …
LO: With my husband and son playing golf or at a celebrity golf tournament.
TFC: What is your greatest extravagance?
LO: The Hertz Platinum membership where they pick you up at the door with your rental car. Hard to find something cooler than that.
TFC: What was your path to the golf industry?
LO: I grew up at country clubs. My father was a general manager of clubs my whole life. Then after college (Baylor University), my career was Golf Channel to Golfino to Lohla Sport.
TFC: What are the favorite golf courses you have played?
LO: The rotation of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. I played in the event for four years — made the cut two years — and it's the best event I've ever been to — St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns. Also high on the list are Cypress Point, Whistling Straits and Augusta.
TFC: Which golf courses do you belong to (if you care to share)?
LO: Sherwood Country Club (Los Angeles) and Mayacama Golf Club (Sonoma, Calif.).
