Meet Mark Harbauer | Founder & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Harbauer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Other than deciding to work for myself, the single most important decision I made was choosing to push past the fear that kept me from actually launching my ideas. Over the years, I had multiple startup concepts—a keto frozen yogurt line, a triathlon suit venture—and I even developed products for both. But I always stopped short of putting them fully out there, mostly because I worried about failing or what people would think.
One Seth Godin quote that shifted my perspective is, ‘The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.’ It reminded me that you learn far more by actually trying—even if you fail—than by staying stuck in planning mode. With Off Abbot, I decided to share my designs, put myself out there on social media, and learn by doing. It was uncomfortable at first, and I still have moments of fear, but I actively work to not let it stop me. Embracing that mindset has been the real turning point—moving Off Abbot from just another idea to a living, growing brand.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Off Abbot is a streetwear brand rooted in the history and culture of Venice, CA. What sets us apart is that we’re not just making clothes—we’re telling a story. Each collection is inspired by Venice’s past and present, weaving elements of its rich history into every design. I wanted to create something deeper than just another streetwear brand, something that feels like a tribute to the place I call home.

Getting to where I am today business-wise hasn’t been easy. I’ve always had a desire to build something of my own, but for years, I struggled to take that leap. I had multiple startup ideas—some that I pursued pretty far—but fear of failure and what others might think always held me back. That changed with Off Abbot. I had to shift my mindset, stop overthinking, and just start.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that progress is more important than perfection. I used to think I had to have everything figured out before launching, but the truth is, you learn as you go. Another lesson is that setbacks are inevitable, and you have to treat them as part of the process rather than a reason to stop. Whether it’s production issues, delays, or creative challenges, I’ve learned to adapt and keep moving forward.

I want the world to know that Off Abbot isn’t just about clothing—it’s about capturing the essence of a place, a culture, and a community. My goal is for people to connect with the brand not just because they like the designs, but because they see the story behind them. And ultimately, I want Off Abbot to inspire others to take their own creative risks, trust their vision, and build something that matters to them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since my brand is all about celebrating Venice, I’ll give my Venice itinerary.

If you know me, you know I love a good chocolate croissant and coffee. Every Friday morning, my friends and I meet up at a Venice or Ocean Park coffee shop to go over our ‘rose, thorn, and bud’ of the week—basically the highs, lows, and things we’re looking forward to. Some of our favorite Venice spots are Boulevard, Little Lunch, Menotti’s or Flo, which is a newer favorite.

For lunch or brunch, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a typical Westsider with my go-to spots—Great White and Gjusta always hit, but I also love a more casual bite at The Window. When it comes to dinner, it depends on the vibe. If we’re doing Italian, it’s Barrique; for sushi, Owa. For pizza, I’ll grab Gjelina Takeaway, and if I’m craving Southeast Asian flavors, Wallflower or Night + Market are my spots. For a great burger, Dudley Market is hard to beat.

Late night, I lean more toward dive bars, so I’d take my friends to Hinano’s or El Chucho for a classic Venice experience. If we’re looking for a good cocktail, Roosterfish is a solid option, and if we want a rooftop view, High at Hotel Erwin is always a good move.

For daytime exploring, I’d want them to get the full Venice experience—renting bikes along the boardwalk, checking out the canals, and walking Abbot Kinney. And since I’m a big runner, I’d probably drag them to a Venice Run Club.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my late grandpa—we called him ‘Grandpa on the Farm.’ He was a man of many talents and a natural entrepreneur, and from a young age, he showed me what it means to build something of your own. I owe much of my curiosity and drive to create to him. His example inspired me to dream bigger and pursue my own path, and I’m grateful for the lessons he passed on.

Website: https://off-abbot.com

Instagram: @off_abbot