We recently connected with Theresa Bell and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

When I launched my online store Truejoy Unlimited LLC, my primary mission was to empower and inspire women and girls to gain and maintain joy, live our best life, and be the best version of ourselves, which still holds true. But recently, I gained a deeper purpose and understanding of my mission, which is to empower women and girls to know that they are truly loved, appreciated, worthy, and enough!

All too often, we as women wear many hats as we work hard on our jobs or businesses, take care of our families, all while still being present as great daughters, sisters, aunties, best friends, and more, but we are sometimes left feeling depleted or as if we are Still Not Enough! Therefore, I ultimately want women and girls to know that WE ARE ENOUGH! In addition, we are also extremely strong, resourceful and courageous for all the many hats we wear so gracefully!

When I gained this deeper understanding and purpose for my brand, I then reviewed the sayings on the products that I sell and quickly realized, to my surprise, that I’ve also been conveying these very messages all along. I realized that our joy will ultimately increase when we know and embrace our worth. In addition, we will receive total freedom when we know that we are ultimately and eternally loved by God, we are making positive differences in the lives of those within our circle of influence, and our purpose matters.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Ever since I was about 8 years old, I always felt as though I would own my own business one day. It was truly an innate feeling that led me down many entrepreneurial paths over the years, all while serving in the Army National Guard, being a wife to a Pastor, spiritual mother to many and full-time employee in the insurance industry for 30+ years.

My husband Pastor Randy Bell of almost 30 years (as of July 31, 2023) and I founded a church 22 years ago and I led the women’s ministry for many years. I’ve always been passionate about seeing women and girls happy and thriving. This passion, lead me to host annual women’s empowerment and domestic violence awareness conferences, to encourage women to walk in their God-given purpose and how to experience God’s joy everyday. I also handled graphic design jobs for our church, which allowed me to develop new skills. I use those skills to create most of the designs for the clothing and accessories that I sell in my online store, along with building my own website and anything relating to graphics. After studying business at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and doing over a year of research on how to start an online store, I took the leap and launched my store on Thanksgiving Day, 2021. It was truly an exciting time and I’m still excited about my store, my customers, and the journey of being an entrepreneur.

Currently, I sell Bomber Jackets, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Tote bags, Notebooks, and Shoes. After I graduate from NAU later this year, I intend to expand my product offerings to include beautiful art and other types of clothing. What is truly special to me are my customers who I call “Joy Jewels.” I would not have a business without them loving my brand and supporting me by being repeat customers. Many of my Joy Jewels have said that my products make them feel amazing while wearing them, because of the empowering messages they convey and the great quality. They also encourage me to keep going with my store because I am making a positive difference in their lives. I’ve truly appreciated their feedback and I intend to host in-person and virtual events to further empower our Joy Jewel community.

In 2022, I wrote and published my first ebook entitled “How to Gain and Maintain Joy” that I sell on my online store and on Amazon to further spread my message of joy and women’s empowerment!

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

As previously indicated, I handled all graphic design projects for our church and continued to develop my skills and creativity. I always considered using my graphic design skills to start a T-Shirt business by heat pressing my own shirts until I learned about the Print on Demand business model.

In 2020, I did a ton of research on Print on Demand which allows you to create your own designs and place them on numerous products to sell online. When a customer orders, the Print on Demand provider, prints and ships the products directly to your customers. I thought this was an amazing business model, especially with my already busy lifestyle.

In the midst of my research, I learned about several Print on Demand providers so I compared their product offerings, prices, turnaround times, reviews and their support model for me as an entrepreneur, which all helped me decide which providers to select for the products that I sell in my store. I love the endless possibilities that the Print on Demand business model provides.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Prior to starting my business, I was not a big social media person, but I quickly learned that social media is the primary way to reach new customers and bring awareness to your business. Although I spent a year learning about how to start and run an online store, I should have spent just as much time or more learning about my target market, audience and how to effectively reach them on social media by sharing compelling messages that resonate with them. At this point, I am still learning as a 101 student in marketing and social media management using mentorship programs and online courses. So I appreciate opportunities like this to share my story and business Truejoy Unlimited with broad audiences, with the hope of reaching more women that resonate with my brand and message that would love becoming Joy Jewels. Therefore, If my story and message does resonate with you, I would love for you to join our Joy Jewel community by signing up for email and/or text message notifications on my website at www.truejoyunlimited.com. You will be notified of special offers and future Joy Jewel events. In addition, check out the products on my website and share with me your feedback!

Future Joy Jewels, I look forward to meeting you soon!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.truejoyunlimited.com
• Instagram: @Truejoyunlimited
• Facebook: @TruejoyUnlimited
• Youtube: @Truejoyunlimited
• Other: Our business email address is [email protected]. We are also on Pinterest and TikTok as @Truejoyunlimited. Thank you!

Image Credits
Olivia, Ronnie, Tara, Emily, Pam, Tiffany, Kim & Placeit.