Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Bell.
Hi Melanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I went to Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN, and studied Graphic Design. After graduating, I worked as a graphic designer and eventually found myself working for a well-known gymnastic apparel company. While there, I designed leotards for elite gymnasts, coaches, and universities. I’ve worked with a few names: Grace McCallum, Kim Zmeskal, and Dominic Zito. I’ve designed for team Brazil for World Championships, and one of my leotard designs was actually at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, so that was cool! Designing for and working with talented gymnasts and coaches is where my love and passion grew for designing leotards. As an artist and designer, at some point, you want to see your designs with your logo instead of someone else’s, so I figured out how to start my leotard company, and here we are!
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh gosh, not at all! It’s been a wild, bumpy ride, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. About a year before I launched Bell Leotards, I lost my job at a nonprofit due to the negative impact of Covid. I had to push my launch date back three times, I had problems with leotard sizing, and my first batch of inventory wasn’t going to make it in time. I lost a ton of video footage from my first big shoot, and I, unfortunately, lost friendships along the way. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. There’s been a lot of tears, but a million more smiles. The road is never smooth, and you’re going to fall a lot, but you get up, dust off, and keep moving forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I design leotards for gymnasts and dancers, focusing on practice and competition wear. I also work with coaches to design leotards for their teams and pro shops; my leotard designs are known for their bright colors. The reason behind that is that they’re made to stand out from the rest. As they say, “what’s the point of fitting in when we were meant to stand out.” I like to think of Bell Leotards as one big party for all the bold, bright, fierce gymnasts that marches to the beat of their own drum.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh, most definitely! Having a supportive group of people behind you is a must-have for any small business owner. My husband, Daniel, has been my biggest cheerleader through it all! He is also an entrepreneur, so he understands the highs and lows of a business owner. My family and close friends are always there to cheer me on as well; everyone at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center and my business mentor, Damon Rawls. I also have to shout out my Bell Leotard Besties! They’ve followed my Bell Leotards journey on Instagram since the beginning before I even had a product to show. They’ve cheered me on, helped with advice on sizing and designs, and have just been an awesome Bell Leos family and community!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bellleotards.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellleotards/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellLeotards/
Image Credits
Lesley Martinez
