Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Namdar... he is to Texas what Mian Moshan Zia is to Pakistan -- when it comes to branding, developing and marketing, these men are a force of nature....Plus Brad has made significant contributions to preventing crime by increased opportunity and use of the arts.
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Brad says...
I believe in the importance of opportunity
I’ve had a wide variety of leadership positions, experiences, and various jobs, which required an immense amount of branding, developing, marketing, and brand development from my undergraduate days at SMU School to present day.
At SMU, I created an award-winning social entrepreneurship at SMU that was designed to benefit underprivileged children utilizing sports and other hobbies as a medium to mentor at-risk children, to being the first Estagio in the history of US Soccer and the MLS for FC Dallas, a college soccer head coach, owning an art line, candle line, private décor designer, a public school teacher, and brand development consulting.
However, regarding Namdar Décor, the roots of the company all started when I was an undergraduate student at SMU and a member of the SMU football team; I had an apartment and wanted it to smell nice, so I actually spent a fortune on candles but I noticed the wicks would die and a lot of fragrance wax was left over! Then one day after practice, I decided to try to make a candle and found it very therapeutic and fun. This, in result, became a hobby of mine for the next several years, as I would make candles in my apartment as a de-stressor.
Throughout the various high pressure jobs mentioned above, you can imagine the amount of stress I had on a daily basis, therefore, in that time period I made over 500 candles. Then, due to my friends, fiancée, and family’s advice, I signed up for a local Dallas market and sold out on my first day. It wasn’t until that market in December 2016 that I realized my hobby was more than just a hobby.
A close family friend, who has been in the interior design/wholesale industry for many years, saw my candles at my family’s Thanksgiving dinner and was amazed at the quality of my product, so he referred me to the showroom In-Detail at the Dallas World Trade Center to only get advice on how to grow my candle company and how the industry worked. After my first meeting, they were so impressed with my candles they actually offered to carry my line immediately, and Namdar Décor was born.
Within the next 2 months, I had to start a real manufacturing business and all the details that are involved; from getting a manufacturing facility, office, packaging, catalogs with 7 collections, UPC codes, and a million other things to other items that I never even thought of like quantity purchasing, rates of shipping providers, etc.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A smooth road… I don’t know what that is. Which to be honest with you is probably why I feel that I can manage many situations. I have never known what a smooth road is. In my opinion, a smooth road is a road that builds no character, and there is always going to be another mountain to climb, another obstacle to overcome, and if you do not have any of those you are static and not growing. In life, there are always moments of adversity and the bigger/more successful you become (which for the record I am not someone huge) the bumpier the ride is. Sure, sometimes things are easier than others but that’s only after you overcome adversity… if you have ambition you will always face obstacles because I personally am always wanting to do more, grow, and create a brand that people can appreciate, love, and enjoy.
One thing I will always remember and the advice I give to other brands, artists, or lifestyle brands is that you have to have tough skin and never take things personally. I recall when I started and invested so much time, money, energy perfecting my product utilizing the highest quality materials available on the market, there was a specific industry rep who told me my product was not, “high end enough,” for a specific vendor…I took offense to it, though how could they say that? Do they know what my product even is? It put a huge chip on my shoulder. Though, I stayed the course, didn’t change who I was and a few months later their vendor called me to place a large order and has placed multiple large orders to this day.
So, one thing I learned is that everyone has an opinion, not all of their opinions are correct, and you need to not allow their opinions to affect your true vision. The industry is changing and the market economy is changing…therefore, those who adapt will succeed… those who don’t… won’t. One last struggle that I have learned from is that anyone that takes advantage of you will always take advantage of you so make sure that there is a difference between “opportunity cost” vs. being taken advantage of. Value loyalty above all else.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Namdar – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We have been adapting to various areas by request/demand which I found to be beyond intriguing.
A little over a year ago we started our candle line with 7 collections and 18 fragrances, and within that past year we have grown to add a luxury diffuser line that is nationally known, as well as, secured accounts in over 8 countries, and recently started an art line that will revolutionize the way we purchase art.
Our art line is unique because I saw a niche in the market where we allow the consumer to curate their medium of choice, dimensions, and style, utilizing some of the most well-known artists in the industry, as well as, giving opportunity to talented artists who are unknown (which is where my athletics background comes into play as a college coach I prided myself in finding quality players in unknown places) because I believe in the importance of opportunity in life. This is what I’m most proud of.
I have to give credit to my staff on how we describe our company… “Namdar Decor isn’t a company it’s an experience.” They described it better than I could.
Anyone that has even been successful in any industry, in my opinion, was given an opportunity that they seized. So, I believe if you give someone an opportunity and they want it they will, “seize the day.” I am very secure in my company’s creativity to the point where I don’t discourage creativity but welcome it.
Are all my ideas or all the things that I have done home run hits? No. But it’s important to keep growing and learning from our mistakes more than celebrating our successes.
I’m not scared of making mistakes… I’m scared of not seizing the day which is where I think most brands need to beat.
Lastly, what sets us apart from everyone else is that we are really a personable company that is driven beyond what you can imagine.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have big plans that are always constantly adapting. However, I am lucky to have staff that ropes me in from time to time to make sure I don’t bite off more than I can chew. Though, they also know when I have a certain passion or vision to support me with it.
Some big changes/plans ahead are – to be announced soon 🙂 As we are collaborating, growing, and discussing new products, ideas, and impacts we can make that are unique to the home decor industry and beyond.
As far as my plans go… you never know… I plan to embrace the future and any/all moments of adversity, success, struggle, challenges, victories, and everything and anything that comes my way with a big smile on my face because it’s a marathon not a sprint…but we have the ability to sprint a marathon non-stop given the opportunity while keeping our brand integrity top notch.
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