Early Life
Norman Braman was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1932. His parents were Jewish immigrants who fled Europe. Braman grew up in the Cobbs Creek section of Philadelphia, where his father owned a barbershop. He attended West Philadelphia High School and graduated from Temple University in 1955 with a business administration degree.
Rise to Success
Braman began his career as a market research analyst for Seagram's Distributors. Later, he took an executive position at Bargaintown U.S.A., which was owned by his father-in-law. He then spearheaded the merger of Keystone and Philadelphia Laboratories, forming Philadelphia Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics (PP&C), where he served as president and CEO. In 1972, Braman entered the automotive industry by acquiring Sharpe-Taylor Cadillac in Tampa, Florida. He later expanded his holdings, adding dealerships in South Florida and Colorado, including brands like Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Cadillac, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce.
Key Business Strategies
Braman's business strategy involved acquiring and operating high-end car dealerships. He focused on luxury brands and expanded his operations across multiple locations in Florida and Colorado. His success in the automotive industry led to the creation of Braman Motorcars, which became one of the largest and highest-grossing car dealership groups in Florida. Furthermore, Braman's knack for identifying opportunities led him to purchase the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985 and sell in 1994 for a profit.
Philanthropy
Norman Braman and his wife, Irma, established the Norman and Irma Braman Family Foundation, which primarily funds medical and educational projects. Braman is also involved in supporting the arts through the Irma and Norman Braman Art Foundation, which supports arts and culture in and around the Miami area. They funded the construction of Miami's Institute for Contemporary Art.
