Trent Pettry

Technology Professional | Author | Artist | Entrepreneur

Technology Professional

With over 25 years in technology leadership, I’ve driven high-performing teams and led multimillion-dollar projects across top tech and e-commerce firms. Specializing in aligning technology with business objectives, I’ve launched impactful products and data-driven solutions, from e-commerce platforms to AI and machine learning applications that enhance customer experiences and foster growth.At Young Living, I directed global product and project teams, implementing innovative initiatives like AI-driven CDP platforms and global payments UX and processing ($1.5B annually). Previously, I founded or co-founded many start-up companies, including new consumer product launches (Amazon, Social), creation and production of TV shows/Films, and a SaaS start-up for early childhood education.

My Books

My love for sci-fi and fantasy novels began at around age 12, diving into series like The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Belgariad, Dune, and Dragonlance Chronicles, to name a few. From then on, my imagination was sparked by fantasy worlds and storytelling, fueled by epic RPG games with friends and adventures in the North Carolina woods. Now, some 40 years later, I’ve taken the plunge to bring my own stories to life, beginning with my debut novel, Harvest Deep, inspired by true events in Utah, where I now reside.I’m thrilled to be working on several new projects and enjoy sharing my time between creative pursuits. Hearing from readers is always a highlight, so feel free to connect with me anytime or drop me a note—I’d love to hear from you!

The Felstone
(Legacy of Eagle - Book 1)

An alien stone. A buried curse. A battle for humanity’s survival begins.Fifteen thousand years ago, a meteorite crashed to Earth, its strange properties worshiped and feared by the Neolithic people who discovered it. Now, in the modern-day Cascades, the lost tribe has returned and unearthed the cursed stone—seeking to exploit its mutagenic powers.Eagle, a star high school football player and member of the Takhala, bound by heritage and haunted by the truth of his lineage, must rally his friends and his tribe to confront the lycanthropic menace that hunts them. From the forested peaks of the Cascades to the dark heart of a volcano, the fight for survival unfolds in a tale of ancient prophecies, supernatural horrors, and unbreakable bonds of family and friendship.Perfect for fans of Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Dean Koontz, The Felstone is a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller that will keep you riveted until the final page.

Promos and Visuals

Book Trailer 1

Promo 1

Promo 2

Promo 4

Promo 5

Promo 6

Character concepts

Historical characters

Bait: A Novella

In the Florida marshlands, three teenagers uncover a harrowing secret.Life with Freddy, the trailer park's infamous troublemaker, provides Val and her brother Shane with a constant stream of adrenaline-fueled distractions from their father's mysterious disappearance. But their latest adventure leads them down a path darker than they could have ever imagined.As they venture into the marsh one fateful afternoon, the trio encounters a nightmarish creature. Against their better judgment, they bring it home, only to be confronted by its insatiable hunger for warm-blooded prey.As a putrid stench from a mysterious RV begins to permeate their once-safe haven, Val and her friends can't shake the growing suspicion that the two are inextricably linked. Driven by a mixture of dread and curiosity, they embark on a chilling investigation.What they uncover sets in motion a horrifying chain of events, leaving them scrambling for their lives. With their deadbeat uncle ushering in an additional wave of danger, the siblings are forced to confront the unthinkable: could the grisly discovery hold the key to surviving the nightmare that's closing in around them?

#1 Amazon Bestseller

Harvest Deep (Book 1)

Decades ago, when dozens of miners vanished without a trace in the Mammoth mine, Lonnie Buttars knew the chilling truth but kept it buried.Over 40 years later, Liz Chilton and her friends journey to the desolate gold rush settlement in the Utah desert, seeking to uncover the mysteries of her deceased mother's past. What they discover is a ghost town haunted by its own history, and a seemingly dormant mine that holds untold terrors within its depths.When their drone is unexpectedly shot down, a sequence of spine-tingling events ensues, leaving the friends fighting for their very survival.As Liz confronts the family she never knew and uncovers the mine's unspeakable purpose, can she save herself and her friends from the clutches of their captors and the sinister forces lurking in the caverns below?

Harvest Deep: The Descent (Book 2)

In the bowels of the Earth, escape is but a cruel illusion…Following the harrowing ordeal in Mammoth, a team dispatched to investigate the lower mine vanishes without a trace. Elite Army Rangers are summoned to brave the abyss and uncover their chilling fate.An unimaginable terror, ravenous and relentless, emerges from the shadows, leaving a trail of devastation and vanished lives in its wake… Yet, the military's agenda is containment, not extermination.Armed with her dying father's cryptic revelations, Liz, Cody, Scott, and their courageous team risk everything as they delve into a forsaken mine, becoming Salt Lake City's last bastion against a nightmarish plague. Harvest Deep: The Descent thrusts you into a heart-stopping, breakneck odyssey through subterranean terror that will seize your very soul and refuse to release its grip.

Harvest Deep: The Brood (Book 3)

A perfect, genetically engineered weapon.
At the epicenter of Europe, the enigmatic Heininger Corporation stands on the verge of revolutionizing the eradication of the world's most insidious diseases through groundbreaking genetic engineering. Yet, they desperately require Zack Griffin's unique expertise to complete their mission.Zack persuades Scott and Jake to join him on a daring expedition to Brussels, where they encounter the elusive Dr. Damien Heininger and his brilliant team of scientists. But as they delve deeper, they realize that not everything is as it appears.In the aftermath of the German Chancellor's shocking assassination and the sudden disappearance of his friends, Cody seeks the aid of Jim, Wildcat, and their elite HOPLON team. Together, they embark on a high-stakes mission to infiltrate and neutralize the looming threat before time runs out.

My Music

Since 2017, I've been producing electronic music as 'IBIZIA,' focusing on creating immersive compositions in the Electronic House genre. While I don’t play traditional musical instruments, I’ve honed my craft through Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), where I handle everything from sampling and arranging to mastering each track. My son, Colin, collaborated with me on several early pieces, adding a special dimension to my music journey. Together, we’ve created sounds that blend electronic beats with layered melodies, driven by a passion for innovation and rhythm.

Singles

Waves of Sunshine (5:56)

Mesmerized (5:23)

Out by the Ocean (4:54)

Albums & EPs

My Art

I began painting in 2009, experimenting with what I called "gravitational expressionism." At the time, it was a unique approach—now often referred to as "fluid painting," "spin painting," or "pouring." Using gravity to guide the flow of paint creates effects that feel both organic and extraordinary, resulting in a style that’s expressive, dynamic, and visually captivating. Today, this technique has gained immense popularity on social media, with thousands giving it a try.Each of my paintings reflects the emotions, music, and rhythm of my life at that moment, becoming a kind of visual record. Some of my personal favorites are part of my own collection, and I’m happy to lend these pieces for exhibits.For pricing and availability, please reach out to me at [email protected].

Available works

Sold or Retained Works

My Start-ups

As a serial entrepreneur (since 2004), I have been involved in many successful start-up companies. It's been an amazing journey working across various industries. What follows are highlights of the most notable ones.

Little Playdates

Little Playdates was a company created by my wife, JoAnne Pettry and I in 2004. It was partly inspired by other children's videos, popular at the time. We observed that our own children especially enjoyed the child-to-child interactions, so we wanted to create entertainment that focused on social interaction and diversity. Over the next several years, we created an award-winning series of 3 DVDs with the help of Three Coin Productions. The series was eventually distributed by Porchlight Home Entertainment, televised globally on BabyFirst TV, featured on E! Entertainment Television, and was an exclusive in the Boom Boom Room at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards.

DVD Series
* Little Friends (2005)
* Little Adventurers (2006)
* Criter Friends (2007)

'Little Friends' 2005 Press Release

Numerous Awards:
- Dr.Toy 'Video of the Year'
- iParenting Media
- Creative Child Magazine
- Parent to Parent
- Parenting Magazine
- Dove Award

At the 2007 Golden Globes Boom Boom Room

Doggie Cone

Doggie Cone is a product I invented in 2013, partially inspired by our dog, Nala. It's a frozen treat maker designed to help dogs with teething and also serves as a delicious and healthy treat that will keep dogs occupied and cool in hot weather. We sold many thousands of them on Amazon and other websites until our China manufacturing costs became too high to sustain.

Prototyping

Pre-Production Designs

First Production run

* 20K+ units sold on Amazon, Coupaw, and other sites online
* Featured in the News and Pet Magazines
* Kick-starter Campaign

Smart Care

In 2014, I Co-founded Smartcare, a cloud-based SaaS platform for childcare centers, featuring tools like touchless check-in, attendance tracking, billing, online enrollment, and parent-teacher communication. In 2016, we acquired Childcare Manager, gaining a strong customer base and experienced staff. By 2018, SmartCare secured $10 million in Series B funding and later acquired Preschool2Me, adding lesson planning and assessment tools. In 2020, SmartCare was acquired by Vanco to combine resources and enhance services for childcare providers.

Kiosks and mobile apps designed for quick check-in/check-out.

A full suite of capabilities to run any childcare facility (attendance, employee scheduling, P&L, etc.)

Classroom curriculum, assignments, and capacity management.

A full financial suite for managing payroll, billing, accounting, etc.

Posh Drop

I founded PoshDrop in 2023, a first-of-its-kind concept, to simplify the buying and selling of premium-brand clothing. Customers drop off clothes in secure bins with an identifying slip, and payment for purchased items is sent within 48 hours via Venmo or PayPal. Unpurchased clothes are donated to non-profits. PoshDrop filled a gap in the thrift market by offering a fast, convenient alternative to consignment stores, thrift shops, and online marketplaces.

Instead of receiving nothing for those premium clothing items, we paid via Venmo or PayPal within 48 hours.

A typical day's worth of clothing drops.

Weekly promotions to encourage high-quality drops from our customers.

Sign-up within seconds on your mobile device, insert a slip of paper with your email address (handwritten or printed) get paid within 48 hrs. It's that simple.

Let's Connect!

Feel free to email or connect with me on one of the platforms below.

© Trent Pettry 2024