Jeff Plotner grew up on St. Simons Island, GA and graduated in 2001 from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. Soon after graduation, he moved to Charleston where he started his career in sales and finance. Eventually, Jeff got the entrepreneurial bug. He was determined to start something both located in and made in Charleston.

While researching possible startups, Jeff kept coming back to a feather bow tie he had been given as a groomsman in 2007. The bow tie was designed and made by his dear friend, Ben Ross. In 2011, Jeff approached Ben with an idea, and in 2012, Jeff and Ben founded Brackish.

The two friends spent many long nights and early mornings creating these pieces together and pitching their product to anyone who would listen. The first Brackish bow ties were made in Jeff’s home. In fact, the first boxes the ties are shipped in were branded right on Jeff’s stove top. Jeff always saw the potential, and as the CEO, continues to work tirelessly to grow Brackish.

Since then, Brackish accessories have graced the red carpet on the likes of Blake Lively, Bill Murray, Cam Newton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Andy Samberg, Danny DeVito and more. The company’s media credits include New York Magazine, Vogue, The Today Show, MSNBC, ESPN, Forbes, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, People, Vanity Fair and BRIDES Magazine, to name a few. The handcrafted nature of Brackish products and unprecedented technique of applying feathers have been regarded globally for its appeal to both outdoorsmen and fashion enthusiasts alike. Today, respectfully repurposing the beauty of nature continues to be a core value, while always continuing to innovate.

Brackish now employs a team of 40+ people in their headquarters west of the Ashley, and their products are found in over 400 specialty retailers, as well as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Ave and Neiman Marcus. They proudly tout “made in Charleston” as a differentiator in our industry but more importantly as a point of pride.

The hard work and dedication by Jeff and his team is being noticed. In 2018, Brackish was named the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year in South Carolina and was chosen to be the representative from South Carolina at the White House during their Made in America showcase. Brackish was also recognized in Garden & Gun’s Made in the South Awards. In 2017, Brackish was recognized as the Brand on the Rise by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and for the past three years, Jeff has been voted Best Local Clothing Designer by the Charleston City Paper (an award, like most awards, he is quick to give his amazing team credit for). In 2019, Jeff was named one the Forty Under 40 by the Charleston Regional Business Journal.