Noah Bremen – Founder of bdirect Companies

Having a great funnel. The world is my R and D, so I’m constantly looking. I never say no to ideas and always want to hear new things.

Noah Bremen is the Founder of bdirect Companies, the leading retail sales and marketing force behind many of the nation’s hottest products and brands, including Five Hour Energy, Beats by Dre, HydroxyCut, Naked Juice, VitaCoco, NutriBullet, Perfect Pushups, and Muscle Milk, among a host of others.

Noah‘s expertise is in bridging the gap between retail stores hungry for the next big thing and innovative new brands. In that vein, Bremen founded bdirect, a 360-degree provider of sales and marketing leadership for consumer product developers.

Where did the idea for Bdirect Retail come from?

Bdirect Retail comes from my last name: Bremen Direct. I wanted to help brands that don’t know how to break into a retail market since there are so many brands that have no idea how to sell and to sell correctly in order to maximize their success. People need to know how to build their brands in order to succeed and I find that that’s one of the biggest faults in business today. So I started my company to fill that gap.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I’m all for staying in the loop and being informed on my business and our market. So, I start by looking at sales reports and what’s selling and how we’re doing. Then I read a ton of websites and blogs to keep up with the trends. In the afternoon, I usually have scheduled calls with potential new clients, because I’m always looking for exciting new ventures and business.

I also find that working out makes me the most productive. I tend to be a workout freak, so getting to the gym is the best way to clear my head and stay focused on my day ahead.

How do you bring ideas to life – merging big picture thinking with practical solutions?

At the end of the day, it’s all about having a great idea and then following through on that idea. In order to accomplish this, I ensure that I have a great team surrounding me that understands what needs to be done and knows the importance of execution.

What’s one trend that really excites you?

Better-for-you products. This is more of a movement than a trend, and it has really grown in the last few years. People are very conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies and how to stay healthy. This excites me in a really big way.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I have an innate sense of curiosity and love to uncover new ideas. I have ADD, but I find that it has actually aided my success over the years. I have a tough time sitting still, so I’m constantly observing what’s happening in the business world. I make sure that I’m aware of everything that’s going on. This is a constant thing for me—the curiosity never goes away.

What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?

My worst job experience was making subs at Tubby’s Subs in Michigan when I was 16. It was extremely embarrassing for me because I don’t have a natural cooking skill. People wouldn’t like the sandwiches I made, and it was just really difficult. I learned that the food industry is definitely not the place for me.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently with B. Direct?

I should have taken more ownership over certain brands in the beginning. Over the years, several brands have become extremely successful and have made millions, and I see them as missed opportunities that I should have capitalized on when I had the chance.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I constantly look at different viewpoints and ideas and never rest on my laurels. There’s tons of competition out there, and people are always coming up with innovative ideas so I always research and try my best to self-improve whenever possible.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.

Having a great funnel. The world is my R and D, so I’m constantly looking. I never say no to ideas and always want to hear new things. That way, I know of everything that’s going on and can pick the best people to work with. That’s my overall strategy. I’m always open to new products and ideas.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I try to forget my failures and move forward. Whenever something goes my way, I think about it for 24 hours and then learn from it. I let myself be sad for a day but then I get back to work and look for a new thing that can be successful.
This is the same for when I have success. I never want it to go to my head, so I allow myself to celebrate for 24 hours and then move forward.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I believe that the direct to consumer model needs to be utilized more and needs to continue to grow. Consumer relationships are extremely important and need to be capitalized on.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why? (personal or professional)

I find that any money that helps advance my company is the best money spent. So, whether it is on something small like a new piece of office equipment, or taking a client out to dinner, that $100 dollars are directly contributing to the growth of Bdirect Retail.

What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?

This is not applicable to my day-to-day business personally.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

The Power of Nice, by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval. I believe that nice can win and that belief has definitely aided my success. This book gives real life examples of nice people’s success and gives inspiration to those who have been told that nice people won’t succeed.

What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?

There are so many people who have influenced me throughout my life and career. To start, I’d have to say my dad is the number one. He’s always having fun while doing what he loves and I’ve taken that work ethic to heart. Michael Jordan is also extremely inspirational. He’s the pinnacle of a competitive person and I believe that people need a competitive spirit and a will to win like his in order to succeed.