Today we’d like to introduce you to Benny Campanella.
Hi Benny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got into trucking out of necessity—twice, actually. The first time was in 1988, when I was just 20 years old. I’d always loved dump trucks, my first being a Tonka toy, but when it came to picking a career, I thought I was ready to make the real thing my livelihood. I quickly learned that trucking is an expensive and demanding business, and I wasn’t fully prepared. I stepped away and worked in the masonry trade for many years.
Fast forward to 2008: the housing market crashed, and like many others in the construction industry, I found myself out of work. Thankfully, I had a friend who let me help him mow lawns; this gave me a sense of contribution to my family and the much-needed time to think of my next steps. I was at a crossroads—move back to my hometown of Bucyrus, Ohio, and return to the union, or take a risk and try trucking again. My wife and I had just gotten our tax return, and I asked if I could use it to buy a truck. She said, “Why not? We don’t have many other options.” That was all I needed to hear.
On June 22, 2011, Campanella Trucking was born with one tri-axle dump truck and a dream. Within a year, I bought a second truck. By 2013, a third. In 2014, I sold one and bought three more used trucks. Then in 2015, I started investing in new trucks, slowly expanding the fleet based on what was needed—tractor-trailers, flatbeds, quads, you name it. I didn’t grow just to grow. I grew to meet a need.
My wife joined the business full-time in 2014. She brought us into the 21st century—keeping us compliant, organized, and giving the business the solid office foundation it needed to thrive. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come, not just in trucks and equipment, but in resilience and faith. Every step forward was a risk, but it was worth it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the hardest parts in the beginning was just getting our name out there. Most general contractors and construction companies already had long-standing relationships with their preferred haulers. Breaking into that circle wasn’t easy. I knew I could provide great service, but I also knew it would take time to earn people’s trust and prove we could deliver—literally and figuratively.
We focused on what we could control: top-tier customer service, reliability, and doing the job right every single time. Slowly but surely, word spread. As we consistently kept our promises and helped keep projects on track, we started to earn more opportunities. Eventually, we broke through and began working with some of the largest companies in the area. That kind of recognition didn’t come overnight; it came from doing good work and standing by it, day after day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We’re a family-owned and operated dump truck company based in Irmo, South Carolina, proudly serving the Midlands. At Campanella Trucking, we specialize in commercial, residential, and select industrial hauling. Most of our work revolves around the construction industry; we support general contractors through the site prep process, whether it’s assisting in a proof roll, hauling out debris, bringing in fill dirt, sand clay, or aggregates from local quarries. We also work closely with paving crews, hauling off broken asphalt or concrete and delivering materials like millings or hot asphalt directly from the plants.
We are known for our commitment to giving every customer a personal, hands-on experience. Our customers know they can count on us for same-day deliveries, competitive pricing, and honest advice. We’re not just a trucking company—we’re a resource. Clients call us to ask where to get material, how much they need, or what’s best for their job, and we take pride in being the expert they trust.
I’m most proud of how far we’ve come. From one truck to a respected name mentioned alongside the biggest and longest-standing haulers in the area, that means something. But what really sets us apart is the accessibility and heart behind the business. My door is always open. Customers can call and speak directly to me, and employees know they can walk into my office with anything—work-related or personal. People still appreciate knowing the boss, and I make it a point to show up for both our clients and our team.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Without a doubt, my wife deserves a huge amount of credit for where Campanella Trucking is today. She officially came on board in 2014, and that’s when everything started to change. I was so focused on the grind—getting trucks on the road, building relationships with customers, and keeping the business moving—that I wasn’t giving enough attention to the back-end operations. Things like billing, compliance, managing finances, and keeping us organized weren’t my strengths, but they were hers.
She had years of office and managerial experience before joining me, and I truly believe it was God’s perfect timing. Even though we only had a couple of trucks at the time, she ran our company like it was a full-scale operation. Her professionalism made a huge difference, not just internally, but in how we were perceived by customers. It allowed us to grow, earn respect, and be taken seriously in an industry that can be hard to break into. She helped prevent me from repeating the mistakes I made when I first tried trucking at 20 years old. This time, I had someone strong at my side who balanced my weaknesses and let me focus on what I do best.
Then in 2021, our daughter joined the company, and that was another turning point. It’s been a joy to work with her every day, pass on what I’ve learned, and guide her away from the mistakes I’ve made. She’s brought fresh energy to the business, jumping into the day-to-day, helping us create more structure, and making it possible for my wife and me to step back and enjoy life more. She’s also helped expand our brand through marketing and networking, brought in new customers, and developed internal systems like our fleet safety and risk management program. Having both of them on the team has made us stronger, more well-rounded, and set us up for a legacy that I’m proud to pass down.
Pricing:
- Hourly Truck Rentals
- Per- Load Material Delivery
- Material Haul Off/Disposal
- Call dispatch for pricing!
- 803-851-5552 X106
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.campanellatrucking.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campanellatruckingllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campanellatruck
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/campanella-trucking-llc/
