Meet Ben Bryant

We were lucky to catch up with Ben Bryant recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

There’s a reason I talk so much about ponds—and it’s not just because I build and maintain them for a living. My own pond has become one of the most essential parts of my self-care and personal growth. It’s more than a backyard feature. It’s where I learned how to slow down. How to listen. How to breathe again.

When I first installed it, I thought it would be something nice to look at. A pretty backdrop for summer evenings. But what I didn’t expect was how much it would start caring for me.

That pond taught me the difference between movement and chaos. The way the water flows—constantly, but never rushed—reminded me that progress doesn’t have to be loud or fast. That sometimes, the most powerful work is what happens below the surface. Watching my koi glide effortlessly beneath the lilies helped me rediscover stillness in my own body. I started noticing how my nervous system would begin to settle just by sitting beside it. The tension I didn’t even realize I was holding would start to unwind.

My pond became my mirror.
When it was balanced, I could feel that same harmony in myself.
It held up a reflection of what happens when you maintain something regularly, gently, and with care—and that shifted how I started showing up in every other area of my life.

The habit I fostered was presence.
Not productivity. Not perfection. Just presence.
And it’s made me a better leader, a better listener, and honestly, a healthier human. It’s why I believe so deeply in what we do at Superior Ponds. Because it’s not just about water features—it’s about nervous system features. About building quiet, restorative places that hold you through the noise of life.

So when people ask what I do for self-care?
I sit by my pond. I watch. I breathe. And every time, it reminds me: this is enough.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

At Superior Ponds, we specialize in expert pond maintenance—not just building water features, but helping homeowners enjoy them for years to come. Our goal is to make pond ownership effortless and stress-free by focusing on long-term care, water balance, and ecosystem health.

What sets us apart is our belief that ponds aren’t just pretty—they’re restorative spaces. My own backyard pond became a personal turning point. It taught me to slow down, breathe, and be present. That experience shaped how we serve our clients: by creating what I like to call “nervous system features”—natural, tranquil environments that give back to your well-being.

Whether it’s a pond, waterfall, or fountain, we’re here to make owning it easy—and meaningful.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:

Emotional Regulation – Learning how to stay grounded during challenges changed everything. It’s allowed me to lead better, listen more deeply, and make clear decisions. For anyone starting out, prioritize nervous system awareness. Burnout doesn’t build legacies—regulation does.

Systems Thinking – Running a business that supports both people and ecosystems requires seeing the big picture. Creating repeatable systems—whether for pond maintenance or team training—helps you serve consistently and sustainably.

Relationship Building – Business is personal. The ability to build trust, both with clients and your team, is what turns a good experience into a lasting one. As I like to say, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters. My advice: be genuinely curious about people. Ask questions, follow through, and care—deeply.

Success isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about how you do it, and how well you’re able to sustain yourself and those around you along the way.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, we’re always open to connecting with people who share a passion for creating beauty, balance, and restoration—whether through nature, wellness, education, or community. As a small business, we understand that running a professional company is a lot of work! We’ve got a lot of partnership opportunities to make sure everyone benefits and gets stronger together.

We’d especially love to collaborate with:

Local landscapers and garden designers who want to integrate water features into their projects

Health and wellness professionals who see the value of nature-based self-care

Content creators, writers, and photographers interested in capturing the lifestyle side of pond ownership

Chamber members and local businesses looking for creative ways to cross-promote or support community events

If you’re someone who values intentional living, wants to bring more peace and beauty into people’s lives, or just feels inspired by what we’re building at Superior Ponds—we’d love to hear from you.

The best way to connect is through our website www.superiorpondsmn.com, or reach out directly by text and email. We’re always up for a conversation to see what’s possible together!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your