Brackish Workshop

Ben Ross

Co-Founder, Brackish

Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Ben Ross found a love of the outdoors at an early age. With acres of family land throughout SC, an avid outdoorsman for a father, and an extended ‘family’ of friends and relatives whose appreciation for nature runs deep, it is no surprise that as a boy, Ross spent most of his free time in the open air. He finds much of his inspiration while wandering from mountain tops to shorelines and everywhere in between.

After attending Wofford College, Ben moved into the corporate world working for companies in operational roles including Director of Development for Cogdell Spencer and Director of Facilities with Nelson Mullins. It was during this time in 2007 that Ben and now wife, Mary Ann, were putting the finishing touches on their wedding day. When thinking of how best to honor his groomsmen, he knew he needed a special gift that was not only unique but personal – then inspiration struck. Tapping into his love of the outdoors and, by luck, having a perfectly shaped turkey feather sitting on a nearby table, he put the two together to craft the first ever feather bow tie.

After the wedding, Ben continued to work in the corporate world while also launching a side project called Ben Ross Originals, where he continued to make and now sell his feather bow ties at the request of friends and family. What started as a passion project that tapped into Ross’s love of sustainably reusing and repurposing materials he found on his adventures, it was about to be so much more. In April of 2012, friend, groomsman and bow tie recipient, Jeff Plotner reached out with an entrepreneurial prospect – to turn these bow ties into an official business and market them to a wider audience. It was in this moment that Brackish was formed.

Today, Ben continues to be the creative mind behind Brackish. His imaginative approach has allowed for new production techniques, interesting materials, and innovative product categories. He often creates prototypes of a new designs and feather combinations before turning them over to our incredible team of artisans to hone and perfect. When he’s not crafting one-of-a-kind designs, Ben can still be found exploring the outdoors with his two sons, passing along his love for the outdoors and highlighting the beauty that can only be found in nature.