In 1926, he entered the Arkansas State Archery Championships in Little Rock and placed next to last.  He upgraded his archery equipment and improved his skills. The following year he walked away with the Championship.  After that Ben gained quite a reputation as a trick shooter, tournament shooter and hunter.  He performed numerous exhibitions across the United States for youth and scout groups and it is said he never charged a fee for his demonstrations nor asked for reimbursement for his expenses. 

Ben tried several different careers from the Little Rock Railway and Electric Company to a floral business in Pine Bluff while making his archery equipment in his garage.  It was during this period that he met Carl Haun.  Mr. Haun’s grandson had become interested in archery but was rapidly losing or breaking all his arrows.  Mr. Haun flew to Pine Bluff to meet with Ben – the arrow problems were solved.  Ben explained his dream of mass producing his archery equipment and after listening to Ben’s enthusiasm, the two went for a walk.  They came across a vacant sorghum mill with a “For Sale” sign on it and with Carl Haun’s financial support and Ben Pearson’s mechanical knowledge; the Ben Pearson Company was formed.  The first catalog was printed in 1938.  The only items listed in the catalog were arrows and the logo stated “ARROWS OF EXCELLENCE.”  In the early 50’s Ben Pearson was the first to have a brand name for each bow (prior to this all bows only had a model number).  By 1963, the average daily output at the factory was 3,000 bows and 3,000 to 4,000 dozen arrows.

After numerous changes in locations and owners, in 1997 Tom McMillan purchased Pearson from Coleman Industries.  He moved the factory to Brewton, Alabama, making Pearson the only Southern-based archery manufacturing company.

I met Carolyn Settle, Purchasing Manager for Pearson Archery at the 2007 ATA Show and recently joined the Shooting Staff for Pearson Archery.  I had an opportunity to tour the present factory and meet the folks in Brewton.  I got a first hand look at all the changes taking place in Pearson Archery.  Although Pearson Archery is the oldest bowmaker in the country (2007 marks the 80^th anniversary in the bow building industry), the 2007 line of bows is anything but old.  2007 has marked a milestone for Pearson Archery.  Jon McMurray, General Manager, has done a complete overhaul with drastic changes in the logo, banners, and labels.  The line features the Realtree APG camo pattern and also introduces a patent pending limb product ETI – Energy Transfer Insert.  This technology helps with full limb flex when the bow is drawn and prevents separation around the axle hole.  Also new this year is the PTFE Smooth Cams on all Pearson bows.  This is a polymer coating applied to the cam creating a slippery, smooth surface.