We recently had the chance to connect with Trina Bell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Trina , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
As a professional singer/songwriter by trade, music has been one of my most treasured escape outlets for as long as I can remember. Getting lost in lyrics, melody, musicality and vocal arrangements are both grounding and therapeutic for me. A few of my go-to’s are Michael Franks, Sade and vintage Steely Dan.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Trina Bell; an award-nominated singer/songwriter and entrepreneur who has worn many hats over the years, but they’ve all been amazingly fulfilling and have afforded me the opportunity to fully tap into my creative zone.
My professional journey began as one-half of the 90’s R&B duo Trina & Tamara; best known for our feature on Something For The People’s ‘My Love Is The Shh’. The song’s platinum success opened quite a few doors for me, from writing for artists like Rihanna to being sampled on the artist Glorilla’s gold-certified ‘Glorious’ project.
While taking a brief hiatus from the music industry to focus on my growing family, I launched the jewelry line Adict Charmery in 2013. Consisting of hand-crafted bracelets made of gemstones, precious metals and crystals, the line started to gain attention in Hollywood which led to it being featured on media outlets such as Essence, People, E! Entertainment Television, Fox Soul, HGTV and more.
In 2015, I launched a series of themed pop-up events and day parties for women, designed not only to promote Adict Charmery, but also to bring together artisan vendors and craft a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for attendees. Thanks to word-of-mouth buzz, these events gained momentum, eventually attracting sponsorships from major brands such as Marco’s Pizza, Black Girl Sunscreen, Honey Baby Naturals, Oyin Handmade, and WOW Lemonade, among others.
In 2020, After hosting these sold-out events in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Chicago and Washington, D.C., I thought, “Why not merge these pop-ups into beautiful retreats amongst the women and take them international?” Since then, the Adict Charmery ‘GLO’ retreats have been held in tropical locations like Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, gorgeous Napa Valley (wine country) and have had no less than 25 women in attendance. The focus of these get-aways is to create a nurturing space where our ladies can step away from wearing their Superwoman capes and give themselves permission to simply unwind and be. Our next retreat will be held in Antigua in the spring of 2026.
In the meantime, I’m preparing for the September launch of Drizzle + Brie Charcuterie—a luxury charcuterie cart brand offering an elevated experience for your most special occasions. Yes, I have a lot on my plate, and I’m honestly loving every minute of it!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Wow- one of my earliest memories of feeling powerful was one of the very first times I performed for an audience. It was in my hometown of Gary, Indiana at the annual Easter Talent Show, which also happened to be my 7th birthday. Under the stage name Little Jesse & Catrina, I performed alongside my big brother—the late R&B singer Jesse Powell. I’ll never forget the crowds, “Oooh’s” and “Ahhh’s” as we stepped onto the stage in our shiny satin and velvet outfits, which were made by our mother and her cousin.
I was barely tall enough to adjust the microphone, terrified under the glare of the bright lights and the sea of expectant eyes. But through the fear, I could hear my parents’ voices echoing in my mind: “Keep your eyes on us.” Those words helped me get through the routine just as we’d rehearsed in our basement. We didn’t win that year—but the thunderous applause, coupled by frustrated murmurs of the crowd who felt we were cheated, made me understand something profound: my art held power.
At the time, that art was singing and dancing, but the realization ran deeper. It was the first spark of me knowing that I truly had a gift, and that it mattered.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! Another one of my childhood passions was hairstyling. For as long as I can remember, I loved experimenting with different hairstyles on myself. At first, my mother tried to keep me from “playing in my hair”, but eventually, she gave in and let me explore my creativity. By the time I turned 18, our living room would often be filled with friends waiting their turn for me to do theirs. Back then, I considered pursuing it professionally and enrolling in cosmetology school—but then my music career took off, which led me down a different path.
But, a persistent little voice in my head kept asking, “What if you had gone?” I knew that if I didn’t at least try—whether I ended up pursuing it seriously or not—it would eat me up for the rest of my life (that’s just how my mind works.) So, during my break from the music industry, I finally enrolled in cosmetology school. But instead of being excited, I’d never felt more lost—like a fish out of water! All I wanted was to do hair, not memorize anatomy, physiology, or cosmetic chemistry. On top of that, I had a grueling daily commute: an hour and fifteen minutes each way—rain, sleet, or snow.
Additionally, I was still a newlywed at the time, with my youngest son still in diapers. So juggling motherhood, on top of everything else, definitely made me ponder giving up. Yet I stuck it out—and in the end, despite our class starting with nearly 30 students, only four of us made it to graduation. I was one of them, going on to earn my cosmetology license.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think those closest to me would say my family- unequivocally. Each venture I embark on is done in an effort to ensure their stability and security- mentally, financially and otherwise. Beyond that, what matters most to me is uplifting those around me—whether through positive affirmations, laughter, or my love of sharing delicious food. And of course, staying grounded in my spiritual connection with the Most High.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when my schedule is completely clear and I’m able to light some candles, crawl under the covers and enjoy a vintage movie or tv show. I know this is surface level, but it’s truly ny happy place!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adictcharmery.etsy.com
- Instagram: @adict_charmery
Image Credits
The Eye Visuals
Tonya Osborne Photography
Trina Bell
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
