Ben G. Smith

Ben Smith Trendsetter

Name: Ben G. Smith

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Age: 46

Title: Chief Strategist with Surplus Asset Management

Married/Single: Married

Kids: 3

City you live in: Phoenix, AZ

I was born…

in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

My favorite thing about Arizona…

I love the business network; everything is a connection away.

I’m listening to…

just about everything. I have 6000+ songs on shuffle. I love live local artists best, though. They beat an MP3 any day. A new art gallery and event space I am helping to launch will actually feature an area for unknowns to take the stage – that will definitely be a bonus as far as I’m concerned!

My family…

rocks! My kids help me map out my business and creative decisions and are now helping to create the art gallery as well.

If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…

everyone. I share meals with new connections almost daily because I love getting varied perspectives. Sharing and collaborating with diverse creative minds is extremely energizing to me.

One thing I cannot live without…

Trader Joes dark chocolate bars; I eat at least one a day. Chocolate is my gateway to a higher mental plane.

When I was younger, I wanted to be…

an entrepreneur. I actually moved to Arizona in high school to make sure I could pay in-state tuition to attend the Entrepreneurship Program at the Eller School at UofA.

I’m inspired by…

passion — learning what people are passionate about inspires my own creativity, energy, and drive.

The one person who motivates me is…

the last person I met. I truly believe that we all exchange energy, so when I meet anyone who radiates vitality and drive I get the benefit of their zest for life. And, fortunately, I have the opportunity to come across remarkable people like this on a daily basis through my work.

If I could change anything in the world, it would be…

I am a strong advocate against child abuse. I have served on boards for CAC, and would love to help end the abuse that causes so much long-term pain. Dr. Linda Gray is a hero in this space and it has been on honor to have served with her in the past.

The perfect day would be…

sleep in, stay up late, meet lots of people and do some business deals (that is my average day, just without the sleeping in part!).

My first job was…

at about twelve years old, I rigged a golf cart with electric coolers and sold Pop Shoppe Pop in the park to families.

My favorite escape…

I can escape anywhere I am by just finding quiet and staring into space. Often I look lost, but this is my time to rewrite the world around me. This is why my office has couches and not a desk.

My life…

is one where I hope to continue to evolve, never grow up, and do something to help someone as often as I can.

I’m currently working on…

launching a new art gallery with my partner, selling a publication, creating a fun rental business, developing a software company, developing a creative arts co-working space, and finding more ways to bring people together.

Always…

play.

Never…

settle for something you have no passion for. My best opportunities came AFTER I walked away from something I did not believe in.

Favorite Quote…

Oliver Wendell Holmes: “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing.”

Biggest Dream…

to develop a space in Phoenix that allows me to feed my soul, build hundreds of thriving businesses for others, grow the Arizona economy, expand arts and culture, and increase the average income in the work force.

My Pet Peeve(s)…

people who do not listen and can’t show up on time.

 

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