Shelly Bell, this week’s guest, gets special permission to use a hyphenated word. Ok, fine – – it’s a totally made up word but I don’t care. Why? Because she’s fierce and we love everything she does!

Shelly Bell decided that working for someone else wasn't working for her. Therefore, she tried her hand at entrepreneurship.  Her first venture Made by a Black Woman, was a company that sold t-shirts proudly claiming they were “Made by a Black Woman!” To begin with, Shelly purchased equipment and printed the clothes herself. Upon realizing there was truly a market for this, she began printing a wide variety of items for other people and businesses. Thus, her company,  MsPrint USA, was born.

Although Shelly was inspired and excited by her new business, it became clear that something was missing: community and connection. She also knew first hand how hard it was for black and brown women to get much-needed funding when starting a new business.

Inspired by the idea of “rent parties,” an old tradition in the black community,  Shelly found a creative approach to solving some of these problems.  Shelly created a space for black and brown women to share their ideas and included a crowdfunding element. Thus, a  “pitch competition” in front of a diverse audience.

“Everyone is welcome but only black and brown women win!”

This story reminds us all that we don’t need to be fearless. We just need to be fear-facing. Not only do we agree, we have a t-shirt with the same sentiment in our store!

This lady is one to watch and the work she’s doing … It is truly changing the world.

I operate in abundance.

I commit to confidence.

I improvise, adapt, overcome.

Through service, I lead.

Through leadership, I create.

Through creativity, I design.

Through designing, I build community.

Through building community, I change the world.

I do this for the cause, the culture, and the coins.

Partnership: