Bryan Ottens

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
President
Company Name
Peter E. Schmitt Company

Bryan Ottens began playing piano at an early age and studied music at William Paterson University. His first job in the industry was in the stock room at Victor’s House of Music, where he soon discovered his love of selling. Over time he found himself more and more on the sales floor and later left the stock room to sell keyboards and pro audio equipment. After leaving Victors, he spent a few years selling high end pianos at Forte Piano in Paramus, NJ. In 2004, Bryan was hired by the Peter E. Schmitt Company, which he later purchased when Michael Schmitt retired. The company was formed in 1926 by F. Edwin Schmitt and in 1931 became the Shure microphone reps for New York. Since becoming the owner and president, Bryan has expanded all areas of the company from Pro, Rental, Retail, Systems, E-Commerce, and Marketing.