Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Pundt.
Hi Brian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Serving the South Coast for over 2 decades — Orcoast Music has been providing your musical needs since 2001. We are a serious old-school, family-owned music store.
We suceed by providing excellent customer service, a thorough range of product choices, specialized expertise in instrument service & repair, and music lessons & resources.
Our passion for music runs deep. We love to pass that on to our customers. Our goal is to help them find the right instrument and equipment for their skill level and insterests.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The music store started out as one of three in the area. Within 10 years, OrCoast Music was the survivor. A loyal following and knowledgable staff helped the store earn it’s reputation and place in the musical community.
Located in the Empire district of Coos Bay, the neighborhood has slowly seen renovation and renewal which is helped the store thrive in spite of periodic surges in the area of homeless population and minor crime.
During COVID, sales took a servere downturn, but once again, loyal customers helped John and Genevieve survive pandemic intact. That said, age and health issues were leading to inevitable retirement. With no one queued up to take over management of the store, John’s brother Brian opted to come out of retirement and move to Coos Bay to take over managing the store and is now a full partner in the business.
Three years after Brian’s arrival, the music store is experiencing steady growth and has increased its reputation as a reliable source of music products and services. Old loyal customers have stayed, and the business is also serving new generation(s) of musicians in the community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For details about Brian, see his LinkedIn profile. See more info specific to your question in the first-person response below.
Regarding John, he is a life-long guitar player, singer and song-writer hobbyist His passion for music culiminated in the founding of a small music store slice of retail shared space in a couple locations in 1999. His hobby was now a viable business entity and he evenutally became a full time proprietor in 2001.
Genevieve joined him in 2010 as a fulltime partner and general manager at the music store. She comes from a artistic background including glass sculptures and painting. She managed the store until 2022 when Brian took over.
Brian (first person):
I’m not an obvious choice to run a music store. I am not a musician and I have never run a business/retail store. However, I have years of experience with superior customer service at Alaska Airlines (and other positions), learned about high-level marketing and merchandising, as well as finanical & operational standards during my tenure with Nike, and I have been a longtime woodworker and handyman with tools & equipment. Before starting my time at OrCoast, I attended a guitar technical training bootcamp which helped me with fundementals of guitar design and service techniques which helped my confidence and credibility when talking to customers. Add three+ years of experience, and I know a lot more that I used to. Additionally. I’ve made some great staffing choices and together the team covers most of the knowledge/skillset territory.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I recommend keeping an open mind about music. The more that I am exposed to the subject, the more fascinated I have become with the history and science of musical instruments and the many, many permutations of music over time and around the world. It’s definitely become much more than rock & roll and the popular artists that I grew up with.
Listen to everything and watch music videos/footage of players from all genres and cultures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.orcomusic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064857436159
