The Greenville Story of: Zachary Elliott

A hustler, a fighter and a cancer survivor

Zachary Elliott with his mother, Kimberly Elliott.

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Name: Zachary Elliott

Most interesting fact about yourself: I stand on one leg when I am in the shower. 

Background: I was born and raised here, in Greenville. I went to Beck Academy and JL Mann High School. 

Growing up, I played a lot of sports: baseball, football and basketball. I absolutely love being competitive in anything and everything I do, which led me to a love of sports. 

When I was nine, however, I found out I had cancer: I was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma and underwent a year of chemo and was given a less than 30% chance of living. It was an ongoing battle there for about a year and the doctors would end up amputating my leg, below the knee, as the cancer was believed to be in my ankle. Amputation was the only route. But now, I can say that I have been in fifteen, coming up on sixteen, years of remission, cancer-free. I’m here and I am very fortunate for that. 

I graduated from JL Mann in 2013 and made my way to Charleston where I would spend two years at [College of Charleston], focusing on Business Management. But during the two-year process, I decided to pack and move to Florida. 

I met a lot of folks in Florida, one of which led me to my career-path in owning a restaurant, Sweetberry Bowls. I informed my mom about the opportunity with Sweetberry and how the company wanted to open up a shop here in Greenville. My mom and I invested in Sweetberry, allowing us to open up Sweetberry Greenville, located right across from NOMA Square here Downtown. 

My family and I are very thankful for the opportunities that Greenville has given us, even in the small timeframe that we have been opened. I also believe in what I am doing with Sweetberry because of the nutritional value that our bowls have; health is very important to me. 

What is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Downtown Greenville, getting out and walking. I also enjoy the ‘Cancer Survivor Park.’ It is a neat place for everyone, especially cancer survivors that are here in Greenville. 

What is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? I like Urban Wren, a restaurant near the Westend that just recently opened up. 

How would you describe Greenville? I love Greenville, it is very well-connected, people are very supportive of local businesses here and I think we have a striving small business community. Greenville is home and always will be. 

How would Greenville describe you? A fighter.