Ben Pettit may be the quintessential Upstate man. A Spartanburg native, he graduated from Anderson University and has worked in Greenville for the past 14 years -- the majority of that that as a business owner in the world of marketing and web design. For the past nine years, he has been the CEO of STORY, an agency that offers creative digital solutions to everyday business problems, and with a growing team of creative professionals, our work spans from the South East to the entire nation. He has answered our random questions showing an insight into his business acumen including his resourcefulness in getting off a desert island.
What are your favorite things to do on your days off?
I am a homebody. I am crazy about my fescue and landscaping. You’ll find me with a beer on my back screened-in-porch listening to music just under the volume that might make my neighbors angry.
What is one movie you’ve watched more than five times?
Groundhog Day. I love the concept of getting time back and getting to do it over and over again. I would seize the opportunity.
What are three books you would bring with you to a deserted island?
The US Army Survival Manual
The Bible
A book about how to build a boat to get off the island!
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what album would it be?
John Mayer’s Continuum.
In your opinion, what’s the most rewarding part of working in your job?
Creating new things. Taking ideas, thoughts, and wishes and applying business and marketing strategies and watching them bloom.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always thought I would be a pastor of some sort.
If you could be part of any sitcom family or friend-group, which would you choose?
Around our office at STORY, my employees have told me I would be Ross from Friends. I vehemently deny this and wish to be Chandler, but sadly they may be right. Hey, he got Rachel in the end!
Tell us a funny story about you that most people don’t know?
When I was a senior in high school I won a spot in our district Concerto Aria contest. So here is the picture, me singing an Italian Aria with a full symphony orchestra behind me on the Twitchell Auditorium stage at Converse College with about 1000 people in attendance. Everything went well until the 2nd verse, when for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what words came next. So I started singing nonsense Italian words for a good 20-30 seconds until I got back to words I knew. No one knew (other than the conductor and I) and everyone said I did a great job! I still laugh about it to this day.
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Both. If I had to pick one I would go with Star Wars.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Greenville?
Falls Park, Drive games, eating everywhere!