Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monique Bell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Monique , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I’ve had a rough journey in life, often making not-so-smart decisions along the way. Everything changed on November 13, 2015, when I was hit by a double-decker bus in San Francisco. I woke up two days later in the hospital, facing the aftermath of a serious accident: I broke my back, both arms, six ribs, suffered a brain injury, and was impaled by a large rod in my thigh.
The healing process in the hospital marked the beginning of my resilience journey. I had to overcome numerous challenges just to heal. Once I left the hospital, I faced the daunting task of building a new life from scratch amidst many obstacles. Over time, I kept pushing through and eventually started a venture called Revamp People. This experience has brought me invaluable lessons and helped me grow in ways I never knew were possible.
Being a lifelong student has been incredibly beneficial as I navigate new challenges. Each step of the way, I’ve learned and evolved, discovering strengths within myself that I didn’t know existed.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have always loved fashion and art, finding myself deeply connected to the arts from a young age. Throughout grade school, I explored various forms of art and excelled in many of them. However, it was fashion that truly captivated me; it felt like my purpose, and I knew I was destined for it. In high school, I worked hard to get closer to the fashion world.
I started working in theater, and oh boy, I loved everything about it! That’s when I met my mentor, who taught me how to sew and revamp clothes for shows. Later, I worked at KQED as a student and learned all about film. This introduced me to a different aspect of fashion: costume design. All the skills I acquired over the years helped me create Revamp People, especially after my car accident, which became a turning point in my life.
Today, I am Monique Bell, a stylist and upcycle designer. I work with everyday people and music artists who want to build their brands through fashion, always offering upcycled clothing tailored to their unique styles. Now, I’m building a community for artists, creating a space where they can collaborate and develop their personal brands through networking. Exciting projects are on the way, and my brand is undergoing significant changes!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Don’t take things personally. Emotional intelligence and discipline have transformed my life, and I’m truly thankful for the lessons that have helped me understand their importance.
Always fill your cup until it overflows, because it’s yours. You can’t please everyone; doing so will divert you from your journey. Your purpose is the reason you’re here on this earth. Learn to say no and understand your boundaries in all aspects of life, both professional and personal. Embrace fear and do it anyway. Mistakes are opportunities for growth, so accept them, learn from them, and ask questions to become better.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I absolutely love “The Four Agreements”! It’s an amazing and life-changing book, and one of my favorite insights is the idea of not taking anything personally. I appreciate how it’s a quick read, yet it offers profound understanding of people and helps redirect the focus back on myself and the work I need to do. That’s so important!
The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, and Always Do Your Best. This book is all about self-development, guiding you on how to navigate life with grace while holding yourself accountable. I really resonate with the encouragement to always strive for personal growth and to be the best version of myself. It’s such a vital message!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.revamppeople.com
- Instagram: Revamp_people
- Twitter: Revamp_people
- Other: Tik Tok: Revamp_people
Image Credits
Pix, Vivian p. Chen and Elizabeth Tang (Only the studio pictures)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
