Hi Friends! I’m excited to have Brian take over the blog today for his first Q+A ever! You asked the question via instagram, and he answered them on the plane ride home from Charleston!
Make sure to read through the end to see Brian’s male modeling debut with Bonobos! In all seriousness though, Bonobos is one of his favorite brands. The way he describes the ease of shopping with Bonobos is that he can flip to any page of the catalog, close his eyes, and whatever he lands on will look good. It makes shopping for men easy because it’s a super curated style that pairs well with everything.
How did you know it was time to leave the corporate world for self-employment?
- It was time. I saw how hard Liz was working to build Pure Joy Home and had to go all in. I knew I couldn’t be great at everything, I couldn’t balance my corporate job, helping Liz with PJH, being a father, and a husband. I knew something had to give, and I made a major life decision and haven’t looked back. There was one night in particular when I had just returned home from being in Vegas for CES (consumer electronic show). I was folding laundry on the couch (did you know I’m really good at laundry now?), Liz walked in after leading a team call with her oils organization and she was in tears. She was overwhelmed and needed a business partner to share the responsibilities. I went into work that next day and had the conversation. It wasn’t easy but I knew in my heart it was the right thing for me, and more importantly, our family.
What were you doing before joining PJH?
- I was at iHeartMedia for 7 years managing the development of cross platform sales and marketing strategies for national advertising partners. Before that I was the Director of Marketing for Polo Ralph Lauren in the Polo Golf division. Before that I worked in a boutique sports marketing firm managing properties and events for John Wooden.
Can you share details on transitioning from corporate life to blog life?
- Less meetings. Haha. Definitely a transition and when people ask me this, my reply is that I think I was institutionalized from corporate life. Not a bad thing, but I was in such a routine of waking up, taking the 7 am train to NYC, the corporate structure, racing to the train to make it home for bath time, stories and bed with the kiddos. I still use some of the corporate principles engrained in me from my previous positions, but now have so much more flexibility and obviously control over making decisions with Liz on what is best for the PJH brand. Also, it’s fun getting out of my comfort zone and learning new things. Whether it is learning how to use our camera, helping Liz style photos for brand partnerships (mainly just moving things around when she points lol), editing photos, even writing this blog post. Hope you like it!
What drink do you order at happy hour?
- Titos rocks w/ a lime. Chase with an ice cold IPA or Coors Light.
How to allocate time for guy friends?
- Plan ahead. I have a passion for golf, so try to get out every couple weeks for a round. Also, a couple beers at happy hour always does the trick.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
- Everything. It is the best thing you can do in life. There are definitely challenges, but I love everything about teaching, loving, making them laugh, watching them grow. It is just the best!
What practices/qualities are important in a marriage?
- Communication is key. Love each other, appreciate each other, support each other…and date night!
How do you feel about your family’s life being so public?
- Don’t really think about it too much. This is something that Liz started as a passion project and now has evolved into so much more. It’s pretty cool seeing this awesome Pure Joy Home community come to life, we ran into a follower at Husk in Charleston and had a great convo with her and her husband. I don’t sweat it.
What advice would you give husbands who feel neglected by busy career wives?
- Find a hobby or passion. Play some golf or go fishing. Also schedule date night or if you can swing it book a night away. Makes sure to carve out time for each other. So important…and babysitters.
Do you ever miss Syracuse?
- of course! Born and raised, then went to Hobart College. It is in my blood and made me who I am today. I still call it God’s Country and love going back. Go Cuse!
What’s harder, an office job and commute or blogging FT?
- Office job w/ commute so much harder. I have so much more time with family and plus working for yourself and w/ your wife is pretty sweet.
What’s a typical day like for you working with the blog?
- Funny how every day is a little different. Could be heading out to take photos, renting a UHaul and picking up deck furniture, calls w/ brand partners, doing finances, more photos, attending an event…but always thinking about new and fun content ideas to share with you. Taking care of the kids, they’re pretty much always around unless we have a babysitter or they are in school.
Were you ever skeptical about oils at first?
- Yes, I called Liz a witch doctor, but we needed something to change. Brian Jr. had a rough year a couple years back and Liz decided to introduce oils. We have seen a huge difference and have been more conscious about healthy living. Young Living is a major part of that. Plus, I see the passion Liz has for mentoring the women on her team and that’s pretty cool.
How do you manage to find Liz unique birthday gifts., must be hard!
- Very hard. I literally make notes in my phone if she mentions anything about a product or experience. I also ask you guys for advice, thanks by the way.
Do you miss going to NYC everyday?
- NYC is an amazing place, but it was train, walk to work, work, speed walk back to the train, and home. We still go in to see friends, grab dinner or just hang. I’m not really a city guy though so not having it a part of my daily life is pretty amazing.
Favorite vacation and least favorite vacation
- Lots of favorites. If you can swing it, definitely make time to travel with your family. I have to say our honeymoon to Maui really stands out as our first big trip and favorite. We stayed at the Fairmont in Maui and really soaked up all that Hawaii had to offer. Liz and I took surf lessons and both got up for the first time. I’d also say Italy was spectacular. We stayed in Tuscany and Florence with a bunch of our friends, and I could literally repeat that trip forever.
- We just got back from, and had a bad experience in Punta Cana. Lots of issues but mainly the stomach illness was not fun.
Are you in favor of making the move to the south?
- Yes, we absolutely loved our recent trip to Charleston. The culture, the food and of course the weather is a major plus.
Liz here!
We went out one night and shot this look with Brian and Brian Jr. We were overjoyed that Bonobos wanted to work with us as I mentioned above as we love the brand. Their high quality and overall fit stands out. The story behind Bonobos is pretty cool, the company was founded on the principle of finding pants that fit. What was available in the market was either too boxy or too tight. Enter the signature curved waistband. It actually conforms to the natural shape of your waist. Bonobos offers a “fit for every body” and that is certainly the truth.
Brian chose this lightweight button down shirt in the Blue Grey Salt Pond Dot which was perfect for the Charleston heat! The shirt is perfect for summer and comes in over 60 different patterns! The fit is awesome, conforms to any body type, even Brian who is 6’3 and weighs approximately 217*.
I paired the lightweight button down top with another lightweight option, the lightweight travel jeans which he loves. Brian: ”They have a clean tailored look and are extremely lightweight which is key because I get hot easily. The fit is awesome, not too baggy, not too tight.”
Some other favorite products to note:
stretch lightweight chino shorts
Lightweight 5-pocket golf pants
*note, 217 lbs., NOT 220 as Liz previously posted.
*thank you to Bonobos for sponsoring this post! We are so appreciative to work with the brands we love most.