Ben Navarro - A Look At The Man Behind The Business
There are some people who really make a mark on their surroundings, changing the way things are done and building things up from the ground. Ben Navarro, as a matter of fact, is one of those individuals, someone who has made a big impression in the business world and in various communities. He is quite well known for his work in finance, specifically with consumer debt and credit cards, and he also has a significant presence in other areas, too it's almost like he has a hand in many different pots.
You see, his story goes beyond just numbers and deals; it involves family connections, a passion for sports, and a real commitment to the places he calls home. This individual, born in 1962 or 1963, has built up a collection of businesses that reach far and wide, making him a recognized figure in the financial services sector and beyond. He’s someone who has shaped a lot of what we see today, especially in certain parts of the country, and that, is that, pretty interesting to think about.
So, we’re going to take a closer look at what makes Ben Navarro tick, what ventures he’s been a part of, and the way he’s influenced both the business landscape and the lives of people around him. It’s a chance to get to know the person behind the various headlines and the different projects that have brought him attention, giving us a picture of his journey and his impact, actually.
Table of Contents
- Ben Navarro's Life Story
- What Did Ben Navarro Do in Business?
- How Has Ben Navarro Impacted Charleston?
- What About Ben Navarro's Family and Sports Connections?
Ben Navarro's Life Story
Ben Navarro, an American business person, has quite a story to tell, actually. He came into the world around 1962 or 1963, and his path has led him to create and oversee a very large financial organization. This group, Sherman Financial Group, has grown to be one of the biggest purchasers of consumer debt across the United States. It also owns Credit One Bank, a bank that helps people get credit cards, even those who might have a lower credit score. This gives you, like your, a little idea of the kind of work he does.
His early life, you know, had some interesting connections, too. Ben, who is about 60 years old, spent his growing-up years in New England. He is the son of Frank Navarro, a well-known college football coach. Frank Navarro was, in fact, quite famous in his field, even posing for a Norman Rockwell painting of a new recruit. So, Ben came from a background that was steeped in sports, which is, in some respects, a bit different from where he ended up in his career. He went to the University of Rhode Island, finishing up his studies in 1984 with a finance degree.
Who is Ben Navarro? Personal Details
Here’s a quick look at some personal information about Ben Navarro:
Full Name | Ben Navarro |
Born | 1962/1963 |
Place of Birth | New England, USA |
Father | Frank Navarro (College Football Coach) |
Education | University of Rhode Island (Finance, 1984) |
Spouse | Kelly Navarro |
Children | Four, including Emma Navarro (Professional Tennis Player) |
Residence | Charleston, South Carolina, USA |
Known For | Founder/CEO of Sherman Financial Group, Owner of Credit One Bank, Real Estate Investor, Philanthropist |
Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $1.5 billion (according to Forbes) |
Ben Navarro is currently married to Kelly, and they have four children together. They live in Charleston, South Carolina, a place where Ben has made a very noticeable impact, as a matter of fact. His family life seems to be a significant part of who he is, and his daughter, Emma, has even become a public figure in her own right as a professional tennis player, which is pretty neat.
What Did Ben Navarro Do in Business?
Ben Navarro’s business path really took off after his time at Citigroup, where he was a vice president. In 1998, he started Sherman Financial Group, and he built it up into a very big credit card and debt collection operation, you know. This company became a major player in the financial world, specializing in buying up consumer debt, which is quite a specific and important area of finance. It’s almost like he saw a need and found a way to fill it on a large scale.
Beyond the Sherman Financial Group, Ben Navarro’s business interests spread into other areas, too. He’s a real estate investor, for instance, making a very big impression on the property scene in Charleston through his company, The Beach Company. He also, in fact, has a history of trying to buy sports teams, having put in a bid for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers at one point. This shows, arguably, a wide range of business interests and a willingness to get involved in different kinds of ventures.
Ben Navarro's Financial Ventures
Sherman Financial Group, the company Ben Navarro founded, is essentially his main financial enterprise. This group offers credit cards and also handles debt collection services. It’s a business that deals with a lot of consumer finance, providing services that many people use or interact with, you know. He has, apparently, created a system that manages and acquires distressed consumer debt, which is a specialized field that requires a particular kind of business sense.
His financial holdings also include Credit One Bank, which is a bank focused on credit cards for people who might have lower credit scores. This is a very specific market, and it shows a business model that aims to serve a particular group of consumers. So, in short, Ben Navarro has built a financial empire that spans from acquiring debt to providing credit, covering different parts of the consumer finance world, and that, is that, quite impressive.
How Has Ben Navarro Impacted Charleston?
Ben Navarro has certainly left a very noticeable mark on Charleston, South Carolina. He’s involved in several significant projects and properties in the city, which really shows his commitment to the local area, you know. For example, he founded Meeting Street Schools, which are educational institutions that aim to make a difference in the community. This is a very clear sign of his philanthropic side and his desire to give back, actually.
He also took over the Volvo Car Open, a well-known tennis tournament, which means he’s brought a significant sporting event under his ownership. Then there’s the Charleston Place hotel, a landmark property in downtown Charleston, which his family company, Beemok Capital, purchased. This move brought the hotel under local ownership for the first time, which is, in some respects, a pretty big deal for the city. He is, apparently, buying Union Pier, too, which is another major development for the downtown area.
Ben Navarro's Local Influence
Ben Navarro’s influence in Charleston goes beyond just owning businesses; it extends to shaping the very physical makeup of the city. His company, Beemok Capital, which is his family office, has made some very big investments in local properties. Besides the Charleston Place hotel, he also owns Sorelle, a restaurant, and Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, which is a major venue for events, you know. He has, apparently, moved to the area about 15 years ago, and since then, he has certainly made his presence known.
His work through The Beach Company, his real estate firm, has also had a very big effect on the city’s property development. This means he’s not just buying existing places but also, in a way, helping to build new ones or change the way parts of the city look and feel. So, Ben Navarro’s impact on Charleston is quite broad, touching on education, sports, hospitality, and real estate, making him a very central figure in the city’s recent history, actually.
What About Ben Navarro's Family and Sports Connections?
Ben Navarro’s family life is clearly a very important part of his story, and it connects directly to the world of sports, too. He and his wife, Kelly, have four children, and one of them, Emma Navarro, has become a professional tennis player on the WTA tour, which is pretty cool. Emma’s recent success, like her performances at Wimbledon 2024 and the Hobart International, has brought her into the public eye, and her father’s support has, arguably, played a part in her journey.
It’s interesting to note that while Ben’s father, Frank Navarro, was a famous college football coach, Ben himself pursued a career in business rather than sports. Yet, he still has a very strong connection to the sporting world through his daughter and his own business interests. He’s a very big tennis fan, for instance, and he even owns a few tennis tournaments, including the Charleston Open and the Cincinnati Open, according to USA Today. This shows, in short, a deep personal and professional tie to the sport.
Ben Navarro and His Daughter Emma's Tennis Journey
Emma Navarro’s rise in professional tennis has certainly drawn attention to her family, especially her parents, Ben and Kelly Navarro. Ben, as her father, has been seen cheering her on at various events, like the 2024 U.S. Open. He even shared his initial thoughts when Emma made her early debut in the Charleston tournament back in 2019, which he owns, you know. This kind of personal involvement shows a very supportive family dynamic.
So, while Ben Navarro is widely known for his success in the business world, particularly with consumer debt and credit cards, he has also seen his daughter Emma make a name for herself in tennis. This connection to a professional athlete adds another interesting layer to his public profile. It highlights that even though he built a financial empire, his personal interests and family ties are still very much a part of who he is, and that, is that, a pretty human side to a very successful person.
Ben Navarro’s journey from a college football coach’s son to a billionaire businessman with a significant impact on finance, real estate, and philanthropy is quite remarkable. He has built the Sherman Financial Group into a major player in consumer debt and credit cards, and he owns Credit One Bank. His influence is particularly strong in Charleston, South Carolina, where he has invested in schools, major properties like the Charleston Place hotel and Union Pier, and local sports events. Beyond his business ventures, his family life, especially his daughter Emma’s success in professional tennis, shows a personal side to his very public achievements.

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