Emre Basman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Emre , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are non-negotiable. I start with a 60-minute workout every morning, followed by 30 minutes split between the sauna and a cold plunge. That routine grounds me, energizes me, and sets the tone for the day. After that, I get ready and head to work fully charged.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Emre Basman. I am the founder of Armina, which includes Armina Stone and Armina Luxe. We are both an importer and manufacturer of natural stone and millwork, serving residential and commercial projects. What makes us unique is that we are one of the only companies that combines stone and millwork under one roof, giving us the ability to deliver at every scale from big-box projects to hospitals, hotels, stadiums, apartments, multifamily developments, and even ultra-luxury residences valued at $50 million to $100 million. No one else in the industry is structured quite like us.
Before Armina, I was a professional soccer player. I carry that same team-driven mentality into business, leading with inspiration and motivation to help our people achieve bigger and better things. I’m also a proud immigrant and patriotic American. Branding and marketing are my passions, and we’ve built strong partnerships with major sports organizations including the NBA, NHL, and NFL, along with our high-profile spokespeople. In our industry, this level of brand building is practically unheard of.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Faith has always shaped how I see the world. I believe life is a stepping stone to infinity, and I live by moral values, family values, respect, and love. Those principles guide every decision I make. I’ve been influenced by many people along the way, but ultimately, it’s that foundation of faith and values that has carried me forward.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Be careful with trust. When I was younger, I trusted people too quickly. Over time, I’ve learned that trust is earned, not given. Relationships take time to build, and testing reliability is essential. I’d tell my younger self: work hard, build strong relationships, but don’t rush into trust.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Being intelligent is important, but emotional intelligence is even more critical. Smart people sometimes assume knowledge alone is enough. But without emotional intelligence, understanding people, adapting to situations, and leading with empathy, you won’t succeed in guiding teams or clients. There is no one-size-fits-all rule. Success depends on shaping your approach to fit the person and the project in front of you.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Trust. More than price or even quality, they would miss the assurance that when Armina commits to a project, we see it through with pride and honor. We always find a way to deliver to perfection. That commitment, our word, defines us as a brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arminaluxe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arminaluxe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emre-basman-9ba80420/
Image Credits
Photo Credit for all photos: Dan Cutrona
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