Paul Brunst is a businessman, former personnel of the United States Naval Forces, an outdoorsman, and adventurer. Life has driven him forward to success, and each step has only reinforced his dedication to service and family.
One of the first things that inspired him to greatness was shared with him by his father. They enjoyed long bike rides that often-resembled small bike tours. Sharing in this activity from the time he was a child inspired him to push his physical limits and increase his stamina. As an adult, he has thrived in various aspects of biking from cross country bike tours to a kamikaze mountain biking on the challenging terrain that are the hills of San Francisco, California in the United States.
After high school, Paul Brunst attended the University of Southern Illinois, in the United States of America. While there, he pursued his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While attending this elite school, he found a calling to serve his country. After enlisting in the Military, Paul spent four years as military personnel. Inspired to do more, he became invested in the Navy and all it could offer him at the time. His experience with the United States Naval Forces inspired him to push for greatness in all that he does.
With his continued desire to produce the best possible results, he has moved into the private sector as an entrepreneur. His premium line of camouflage pants continues to grow as a family business. While growing his business, he has continued to be employed for Duke Energy Corporation as the Operations Manager. Paul Brunst has now built his business and home in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In his free time, he strives to continue to push his body to stay at its healthiest for himself and his family. He spends time with his family and children, and together they give back to the community whenever the opportunity presents itself.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
When I left the Military, I saw a need that had to be filled. Camouflage pants are relatively common, but they are like tires on a bike. Any tires will get you from point A to point B, but only the right ones will carry you a full distance without issue. Pants are the same. Only the right ones are going to be the quality you need it to be when you need it to be.
How do you make money?
It is a retail product. We sell the pants either wholesale to the various stores or direct to consumer through our own means. We garner a profit based on the volume of sales per pair. When I was doing it on my own, I had spread myself thin trying to make sure I had it all under control, but after my wife got involved everything fell into place.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
Not long after my family mobilized to help, we topped out at the goal I had set, and we have continued to grow ever since. It is a brand in the making, and we are very proud of our success.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Every business owner has reservations at some point. If we didn’t, we aren’t doing anything right. Just as I was sitting on the edge of what needed to be done to grow, my wife stepped in and created the room for that growth. Together we have been able to overcome any obstacle to this business, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do this for years.
How did you get your first customer?
It was a friend. I explained what I was doing and why and he picked up a pair as soon as they become available. He’s been an excellent resource for continued growth as well. He has shared the product with others and purchased some as gifts.
Really, word of mouth is the best advertising for any retail company. People depend on the recommendations of others when making these choices.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Good question. I believe the most effective strategy we are using right now is Instagram. We are able to take good pictures, develop the community there, and encourage interactions. It has been such a boon for sales that we have a dedicated time to work with the account now.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
That’s hard for me, as most of the choices we’ve made lately have been fairly straightforward. We aren’t looking at a lot of new space or store real estate yet. We are continuing to select channels to build our online branding and developing connections with partners and consumers. Sometimes weighing the best choices to make that happen can be difficult, but we discuss it first as a family before we move forward.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I believe that the military has a lot to do with that. It helped me hold myself to a higher standard. I’ve been able to carry that over to the business. It has proven to be the most valuable asset in my arsenal for motivation, focus, and strategic development.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
This might sound a little corny but the most satisfying moment was when my wife agreed to join me in building it. It was just amazing to know I had my partner in life also growing my vision. It is never easy to achieve a modest goal without the right support. Having her to work with makes all of this possible for me.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
We are going to continue to build our brand. We are targeting the acquisition of multiple new retail partners this year. In time, we may even open our own boutique store. We are also looking at options to expand our current clothing line to include other choices.
What business books have inspired you?
The Four-Hour Workweek made me see that anything is possible with the right prioritization and management.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
Online advertising has helped build our brand, and it continues to extend our reach directly to the customer. It has been the most recent and most valuable purchase. It consistently allows me to develop new skills, new strategic results while maintaining a positive ROI.