Though Bare Necessities revolves around women, there are more than a few good men behind the scenes helping to make the bra-shopping experience nothing short of flawless. We couldn’t wait to introduce these fine gents to you: Each is snowflake-level special and brings his unique talents to bear every day in the not-unintimidating world of intimate apparel. Because the one thing that unites them (other than a love of Game of Thrones and a good burger) is an admiration for all the impressive women in their lives—family, coworkers and customers alike.
In time for Valentine’s Day, let’s get to know the guys of Bare Necessities….
BILL RICHARDSON, PRESIDENT & COO
Q: How did you get here?
A: I started the business with my longtime friend [Noah Wrubel, CEO].
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: “Can I come to the next photoshoot?”
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: Being able to help women in the ways that we do. Our particular challenge is helping women understand there’s a better way; that they can feel better physically and emotionally by wearing the right undergarments.
Q: What have you learned about women from working here?
A: I’m continually reminded of the amazing inner strength they possess. They’re professionals, partners, mothers—leaders in all aspects of their lives. I’m fortunate to be married to a very strong woman and grateful to be working among many of them.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife is a fantastic partner and amazing mother, and I hope my daughter will follow in her footsteps someday. My mother and my mother’s mother are examples of strong women who kept a positive, fun-loving outlook no matter the circumstances. My mother was jumping off the high-jump into her late 60s, and my grandmother was still waterskiing in her early 80s.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Helping people—helping customers solve a problem; helping our associates develop their skills and accomplish their goals; helping my kids by setting an example.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: When I’m at work, I’m at work. When I’m at home, I’m at home. I believe in being present.
JUST FOR FUN
Hidden talent: I can ride a unicycle.
Happy place: Snowbird, Utah.
In a word: Adventuresome.
Typical outfit: Clothes.
Hobby: Very fast remote-controlled cars.
Fitness routine: Stretching, weights, resistance training, core work and cardio 5-7 days a week.
Best guilty pleasure: Tequila.
Favorite book: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I just reread it—still fantastic.
Valentine’s Day plans: Whatever my wife wants to do.
There’s nothing more romantic than: Sitting by a campfire with my wife, watching the stars, the kids asleep in the tent.
JON GROSSMAN, SVP, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Q: How did you get here?
A: I joined BN in 2011. The assistant brought me into a conference room where I had the choice of facing a blank wall or a picture of a lingerie model. Hoping to display familiarity with the industry, I faced the model. I got the job!
Q: What’s the best part about it?
A: Getting to see the company grow before my eyes, knowing there’s still untapped potential.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: Any man who claims he knows things about women is a liar. However, I know to say “full-busted” when I’m describing—well, you know what I mean.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: Candidly, I don’t think about supporting women, I try to support people. And, to quote George Steinbrenner’s father, “If you do something good for someone, and more than two people know about it, you didn’t do it for the right reason.”
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife. When Lisa first asked me my thoughts on starting a family, I had reservations. Finally, I realized that my lack of total conviction was not a reason never to have a child. Her encouraging me to become a father is something I can never repay.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: I’m probably not the best person to ask—I typically feel somewhat unbalanced. But recently I’ve been trying to carve out a daily morning fitness routine for myself.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I once sat front row for Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy squirted me with a water gun, and the lead singer of the opening act poured beer on me.
In a word: Honest.
Typical outfit: Jeans and long sleeves.
Personal mantra: Be kind; the person in front of you may be fighting a battle you know nothing about.
Hobbies: Fantasy football, fantasy basketball, fantasy baseball.
Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones, though Ray Donovan is moving up the list.
Valentine’s Day plans: Is there a Knicks game on that day?
There’s nothing more romantic than: Balancing surprise with what is expected.
BILL ELLIOTT, VP, MARKETING & CRM
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Mostly, they’re positive. Women immediately overshare their trials and tribulations trying to find the right bra size.
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: I’m proud of the team I’ve developed, and the company is a fantastic place to work. That said, my first six months here, I was totally embarrassed in every meeting I attended. Most of the employees I interact with are women the same age as my daughters. It’s always interesting, to say the least.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: Probably the same things I’ve learned from living with women all my life. I’ve been married for 29 years, and I have two beautiful daughters. As a man, I take for granted how easy it is to get dressed. It’s a lot harder for women. I’m going grey and I’m getting soft around the edges; it makes me look distinguished. For women, society says she’s let herself go—totally unfair and untrue!
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: Since I’m responsible for all the marketing channels, I make sure women can find the products they need to feel confident wherever they’re looking for us…Google, Amazon, eBay, eBates and their email in-boxes.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife and daughters are the most important people in the world to me. Everything I do is to provide them with the best possible life. They’ve had my back and lifted me up a thousand times more than anything I’ve ever done for them.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My work. I truly define myself by what I do.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: I don’t. My job and commute take 15 hours a day, but I try to make up for that on the weekends by spending quality time with my family. Of course, having grown children and a wife who works and volunteers—she’s the vice president of our school board and runs her own company—helps.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I’m a proud US Army veteran.
Happy place: Anyplace in the world besides my car on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn.
In a word: Focused.
Hobby: None. Gotta work on that when I retire.
Fitness routine: I hit the gym every morning.
Worth the splurge: Brooks Brothers clothes. Great fit, quality and style.
Favorite movie: I love binge-watching Christmas movies from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
Beverage of choice: Totally a red wine snob. I love a big, bold Cabernet.
Valentine’s Day plans: A double-date with friends who are like family to us.
Nothing more romantic than: The cruise to Bermuda my wife and I took last year. It was our first time away without the kids in 26 years—it was like a second honeymoon!
RICH KELLER, VP, BRAND MARKETING
Q: How did you get here?
A: Karma. So much of your destiny in life really is determined by who you know. I was asked to speak on a panel I almost didn’t attend and ran into a business school friend. Though I’d worked in food for almost 20 years, he asked if I was interested in marketing bras. He introduced me to Noah, and the rest is history.
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Women tell me their bra size and favorite brand. Men ask, “When is Take Your Friend to Work Day?”
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: The best was sitting next to Elle Macpherson during Fall ’15 market week in New York and spending the day with Ashley Graham in our in-house photo studio. The worst is the looks I get when competitive shopping in the bra department at Nordstrom.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: A woman is her most authentic when she sees an outer reflection of her inner beauty, and when women have the courage to share that inner beauty with the world, they become a force for inspiration and change. Also, women want to surround themselves with other women who are confident enough to celebrate who they really are.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: Through mutual respect, teamwork and always treating women as equals.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife of 20 years and my 14-year-old daughter. I’m inspired by the way my wife serves as a role model for my daughter by demonstrating every day how to be a strong, professional woman and a 50/50 partner in marriage.
Q: What are you passionate about? What motivates you?
A: As a 22-year cancer survivor, I’m passionate about life. I love to pay it forward by making a difference in people’s lives. I live to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Q: What’s your secret to living an excellent life?
A: Teamwork. When you give more than you receive, you actually get way more in return.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I ran the NYC Marathon.
Happy place: Having my morning coffee with my wife on the balcony at our condo down the shore.
In a word: Change-agent.
Typical outfit: I wear a Survivor buff anytime I’m not working. I always get stopped by people who ask if I was on the show, so I just started saying, “Yes, Season 2.”
Personal mantra: Gandhi’s “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Hobbies: Skiing, Broadway musicals, watching talk shows, and raising money for my family’s pediatric cancer charity, S.C.O.R.E. 4 The Cure.
Fitness routine: I do cardio, classes and circuit training three times a week.
Best guilty pleasure: A Starbucks Venti White Chocolate Mocha.
Favorite TV show: It’s a tie between Orange is the New Black, The Wendy Williams Show and American Idol.
Food of choice: Pasta Pizza from my favorite pizzeria near home.
Valentine’s Day plans: My wife is a doctor and will be on-call, so I’ll spend Valentine’s Day with my daughter to make sure no boy showers her with chocolate and flowers.
There’s nothing more romantic than: Tahiti, where we honeymooned.
DAVID WAUTERS, VP, E-COMMERCE
Q: How did you get here?
A: I’ve worked for 12 years in women’s underwear. After a rough three-state commute and with a baby on the way, I thought it best to find a great online retailer closer to home. Luckily, I found bare necessities.
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Guys usually grin and give some sort of congratulatory response. Women are delighted to discuss their intimates with me.
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: You can measure the direct effect of your work. An occupational hazard is that sometimes you end up in conversations with relatives where too much information is shared about their bras and panties.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: The right bra can do wonders for her confidence.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: We work hard to create a convenient, simple-to-use shopping experience on the site.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife is amazing. I’m so often reminded of what a great person she is. She has abilities I can’t even begin to understand.
JUST FOR FUN
Secret talent: Getting good parking spots.
Happy place: Playing with the kids in the backyard.
In a word: Dependable.
Fitness: Tennis bootcamp.
Always willing to splurge on: Bruce Springsteen tickets.
Favorite TV show: Tiny House Hunters.
Food of choice: Talenti Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato. One pint equals one serving.
Personal mantra: Life is a team sport.
Valentine’s Day plans: Avoiding restaurants.
CHRIS SCARPA, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MERCHANDISE PLANNING
Q: How did you get here?
A: I was looking for a break from NYC and a place I could make an immediate, lasting impact. The people I met were so great, so natural, I knew bn and I would be a perfect fit.
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Men ask me if I work with models. Women could care less about what I actually do; they ask me about trends and finding the right bra. I promptly recommend our Bra Fit Experts.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: There’s so much more to undergarments than looks—the feel, the support. I pick up knowledge every day from the women I work with. I’ve learned a ton from the mistakes of their significant others. I must meet them all and shake their hands….
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife, daughter, mother and mother-in-law. I find joy in watching them succeed and be happy.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Constantly improving myself and using what I’ve learned to help others.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: I try not to subscribe to the thinking of “I don’t have time for that.” There’s always time for something meaningful.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I hold the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association teenage bench press record for the 140-lb. weight class.
Happy place: Home, the gym, washing my car…you get the idea. I’m easy to please.
In a word: Geek.
Typical outfit: V-neck sweater and jeans.
Personal mantra: Go all out—in love, in work, in everything.
Fitness routine: 5 AM, four days a week. Once a year, I work out six days a week, twice a day, for eight weeks to kick-start my system. That starts next week—woohoo!
Always willing to splurge on: Vacations.
Favorite TV show: Billions on Showtime and The Shannara Chronicles on MTV—I enjoyed reading the books by Terry Brooks. And anything with a superhero or vampire.
Food of choice: A good steak and brownies, which I rarely eat but love.
Valentine’s Day plans: Dinner with my wife at her favorite restaurant.
There’s nothing more romantic than: Snuggling. I didn’t have much say in decorating our home, but my one request was a comfy oversized chair in which to cuddle with my wife and children.
ANDY GAY, DIRECTOR OF ONLINE MARKETING & CRM
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: If I’m talking to a woman, the response is usually “Can you get me a discount?” If I’m talking to a man, the response is usually “You work in women’s underwear?!”
Q: Any occupational hazards?
A: The biggest challenge is the day-to-day discussions. It’s still very weird to sit in a meeting and talk about thongs.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: That the majority of women aren’t wearing the correct bra size, and when they do get fitted properly, it is a very big deal for them.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: It’s my job to connect a woman searching the web for a bra with the vast assortment found only at bare necessities.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife, two daughters and, of course, my mom.
Q: What’s your secret to living an excellent life?
A: Not sweating the small stuff. Don’t get crazy about things that you can’t change or control. It’s not worth it.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I could have played D-1 baseball at Rutgers but chose not to.
Happy place: The beach.
In a word: Easygoing.
Personal mantra: It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Hobby: Coaching my kids in softball and basketball.
Fitness routine: Insanity workout videos. So brutal, so effective.
Always willing to splurge on: Cars. I’ll often flinch when my wife buys the kids yet another outfit, but I don’t hesitate to drop a pile of money on a car.
Food of choice: Beer and a cheeseburger. That’s my Shangri-La.
Valentine’s Day plans: A sporting event for one of my children.
There’s nothing more romantic than: A night when the kids are sleeping at someone else’s house.
JAIME KARNILAW, E-COMMERCE MARKETING COORDINATOR
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: “Seriously?”
Q: What’s the best part about it?
A: When the majority of your day is spent looking at people in a state of undress, we tend not to take anything too seriously.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: Besides everything that was drilled into me in a female-dominated household? Women aren’t that different than men besides being significantly more diplomatic.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: Treating them exactly how I would want to be treated.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My mom, easily. She is the most patient, strongest woman I know. She taught me how to be discerning while maintaining compassion.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Social justice. All too often we cease to realize we’re so much more alike than different.
Q: What’s your secret to living an excellent life?
A: Identifying your passion and taking the time to pursue it.
JUST FOR FUN
In a word: Impatient.
Typical outfit: Dog-fur-covered jeans and a button-down.
Personal mantra: “We are all worms, but I believe that I am a glow-worm,” —Winston Churchill
Fitness routine: Powerlifting with a dash of yoga.
Favorite magazine: The Nation.
Beverage of choice: Almond bubble tea.
Valentine’s Day plans: Since it’s my birthday, probably hanging around with my family. I was born in another country without the most meticulous public records. They had my birthdate narrowed down to the 12th, 13th or 14th. When I was adopted, we decided it would be the 14th because it’s a day for love.
There’s nothing more romantic than: Intelligence.
MAURICIO GONZALEZ, DESIGNER
Q: How did you get here?
A: It’s been a long, twisting road, considering I was a dentist in my native Colombia. There came a time when I had to decide to pursue dentistry—a long, unaffordable-at-the-time process to be licensed in America—or go a different route. I chose what made my heart beat: art and design. I started at bn as freelancer. The agency I worked for said it would be for a month. That was over a year ago. I came on full-time four months ago.
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Actually, I think my wife gets more questions about it than I do. Mostly this: “Are you okay with your husband looking at women in lingerie all day?” People have a perception of what it might be like, but in reality, it’s like any other job.
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: I’ve had the opportunity to grow quickly, thanks in great part to working alongside consummate professionals. Although I had worked in the past at places where women were the primary consumers, adjusting to an almost exclusively female-centric brand is the biggest change I’ve had to make.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: First, that intimate apparel is as important as the outfit a woman wears. A bra can influence her state of mind and self-image. Second, not all bras are created equal. There is as much diversity in function and use as there are different body sizes and shapes. The right fit makes all the difference.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: As a graphic designer, I feel I have a big responsibility in this. Not only do I have a say in making our products look good, but I’m also a part of delivering a message that can educate, inform and encourage our customers to make a purchase that is going to make them feel good or satisfy a need on some level.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: There are many, starting with my better half, Gwen, who showed up in my path at a very uncertain moment, and we’ve been together ever since. Of course, my mother, who is my double, and my aunt Aura, who opened her home for me to start a new life in the US.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Family wellbeing, and being a positive contributor to my immediate circles and society in general. I want to be a better version of me than the day before.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: I’m always striving for it, not always successful at it. But feeling bad isn’t going to solve anything. The trick, I find, is to listen to what my body and the environment are telling me.
Q: What’s your secret to living an excellent life?
A: Just try to be a good human being. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: My first name is kind of long, so people call me different nicknames—Mauro, Mauri, Micio. The one I like most is Mao.
Happy place: My mind.
In a word: Serene.
Fitness routine: Cycling on the weekends, weather permitting.
Always willing to splurge on: A good pair of shoes.
Beverage of choice: Juices and smoothies from fruits I grew up with: feijoa, granadilla, tamarillo, curuba, lulo.
Valentine’s Day plans: I met my wife around now and it’s close to my birthday, so we end up celebrating both in one. It’s become a tradition to spend the day in a different place each year.
ANTHONY SOLE, PROGRAM MANAGER
Q: How did you get here?
A: I was a high school English teacher. It was great, but there’s only so many times you can read The Canterbury Tales before you lose all semblance of reality. I carved out a niche in digital marketing, which led me to bn.
Q: What’s the best part about it? Any challenges?
A: bare necessities is a fun, challenging, friendly work environment driven by dedicated people who are a pleasure to work with. Plus, I get to be myself and bring my own eccentric brand of project management to each effort here.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: I’m honored to be part of an organization that supports women from all walks of life. I’m especially glad to be such an integral part of the Bare It All blog team by supporting our writers and marketers in making the blog an incredible resource for women.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My exceptionally delightful girlfriend and the three little ladies I’ve got at home—my cats and dog. All these women, human and non-human alike, make me very happy.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Building good relationships with good people.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: Be where you are.
JUST FOR FUN
Little-known fact: I make my own beard oil to keep my facial hair soft to the touch and irresistibly fragrant. If you ever meet me, try to resist the urge to smell my face.
In a word: Let’s make it two—medium talent.
Personal mantra: There’s nothing I can say that Phil Collins hasn’t already said.
Hobby: I love to play music. I play bass in a band and for my church every Sunday.
Fitness routine: I spend my energy solidifying the most sedentary lifestyle possible.
Always willing to splurge on: Beef jerky. No price is too high. Homemade jerky or Bridgford’s will do just fine.
Favorite TV show: Silicon Valley on HBO.
Beverage of choice: Water and coffee, both in copious amounts.
Valentine’s Day plans: A quiet dinner at home with my wonderful lady. I would cook for her, but the emergency room isn’t the most romantic place on earth. Thankfully, she’s a tremendous cook, and I can wash dishes like nobody’s business. We make a great team.
JUAN ROMERO, APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER
Q: How did you get here?
A: I was working for an investment firm, and I knew I needed a place that would be more of a challenge. I got offers from two places. I chose bare necessities—one of the best decisions I ever made.
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: Everyone wants a discount.
Q: What’s the best part about it?
A: The corporate culture and level of teamwork are second to none.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: I love the professionalism, knowledge and creativity they bring to the table. I just read about Donna’s transformation and found it so inspiring, I e-mailed her to say how impressed I was.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: By giving them the respect they deserve. I appreciate, value and acknowledge their contributions, opinions and achievements, and I encourage others to do the same.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My mother. I owe her everything. I deeply admire her for being strong enough to raise me and my two siblings on her own. She gave us all we ever needed, built our character and positioned us to succeed.
My wife, for always being there for our family. She works so hard for us. She even takes care of our doggie, Frosty. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also working on her Bachelor’s degree, which she postponed when we married. She has been on the Dean’s Honor List since she went back. Her friends hold her in such high regard. She’s been my compass in life, she’s one of the people I admire most in the world. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
My precious daughter. She shares my passion for science, math and reading. I can’t buy books fast enough! At 12, she already knew she wanted to be a neurosurgeon. She’s a natural-born leader.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Knowledge. I could spend the whole day reading science books, and I love politics. Admittedly, neither makes for great casual conversation, but I like the flow of ideas and the critical thinking. We humans tend to fall into patterns and accept things the way they are. I think we should make a habit of questioning everything so we’re in a constant state of evolution.
Q: How do you balance work and life?
A: I put personal time before everything else. I give money the importance it deserves, nothing more. Yes, I want to provide for my family, but I won’t be taking it with me to the grave, so I work to secure our future while still enjoying our lives. Sure, this approach has cost me on the professional side—in the past, I’ve rejected a few promotions in favor of personal time—but it’s a sacrifice I’ve made happily, and it has definitely paid off.
JUST FOR FUN
Hidden talent: I do magic.
Happy place: Playing pool while I wait for my turn in Karaoke.
In a word: Driven.
Typical outfit: Jeans, band T-shirt, boots, hoodie.
Personal mantra: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ―Ernest Hemingway
Fitness routine: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2-3 times a week.
Favorite TV show: There are so many good ones, my DVR is packed. Right now, it’s Game of Thrones, The Black List, Mr. Robot and Aquarius.
Beverage of choice: Whiskey. Old Parr or Johnny Walker Black Label, in that order.
Valentine’s Day plans: Suffice it to say it involves time away from the kids.
There’s nothing more romantic than: A cozy dinner at a classy restaurant with your better half.
JAMES WESTMAN, PHOTOGRAPHER
Q: What do people say when you tell them you work at a bra company?
A: “That’s a long commute from the city, but it sounds like it’s worth it!”
Q: What’s the best part about it?
A: Working with the most beautiful women in the world.
Q: What have you learned about womankind here?
A: They burp out loud, just like men.
Q: How do you support women through your work?
A: I respect their creative vision.
Q: Who are the Very Important Women in your life?
A: My wife Zoe, my mother, and the special ladies here in the studio.
Q: What motivates you?
A: My mother.
Q: What’s your secret to living an excellent life?
A: Traveling whenever I get the chance.
JUST FOR FUN
Secret talent: I can play the bagpipes.
Happy place: On my bicycle, with my front wheel on the finish line before the rest of the pack.
In a word: Australian.
Typical outfit: Board shorts.
Valentine’s Day plans: Mexican dinner in the the bathtub with Zoe. It just happened one year, I don’t know how, but it was so funny we kept it up.
Fitness routine: Biking, running, surfing, cross-country skiing or doing “Great Abs Guaranteed.”
Favorite TV show: Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon.
Food of choice: Vegemite.
There’s nothing more romantic than: Spooning.
2 replies on “Behind the Scenes: The Boys of Bare Necessities Bare it All”
This was so awesome!! Really enjoyed! Great job to all!
Funny story, Anthony is my wonderful boyfriend and I ended up with Valentine’s Day food poisoning after all! Luckily it was from brunch (neither of us cooked) so my reputation remains intact!