Rising Stars: Meet Noella Mbulapey of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noella Mbulapey.

Hi Noella, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where I was born. Education was important to me, and I graduated near the top of my high school class during a difficult time for my family and my country. When I moved to the United States, I carried big dreams, but I had to learn what it meant to start over.

The journey has included financial struggles, loss, uncertainty, and seasons when I was simply trying to get through the day. I worked different jobs while continuing to pursue my education and the calling I felt on my life. My faith has been central to that journey. It gave me hope, but it also taught me that having faith does not mean you never feel tired, afraid, or unsure.

Over time, those experiences began to shape my work as a speaker, author, and purpose and healing coach. I wanted to create space for honest conversations about identity, faith, healing, and becoming. Through my community, The Real You, I encourage people to discover who they are beyond expectations and titles, and to take meaningful steps toward their purpose.

My first book, Tell Me About Yourself, grew out of that desire. Today, I am preparing to release two more books in the next couple months.

Alongside my writing and ministry, I work in banking and am pursuing a dual master’s path in Public Administration and Studies in Law. My interest in public service comes from wanting to help people both personally and through the systems that affect their lives, especially people rebuilding their lives or struggling to find their place.

I am still building, learning, and becoming. What connects everything I do is a desire to help people feel seen and find the courage to move forward. I know what it feels like to have a vision for your life while your circumstances look very different. That is why I care so much about encouraging people through the process, even before they have a success story to tell.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to build what I believe in while still managing everyday responsibilities. Financial limitations have sometimes meant moving more slowly than I wanted, especially when investing in my writing and personal projects. Balancing work, school, ministry, and my own well-being is something I am still learning.

Some of the hardest challenges have also been relational. I have experienced disappointment in places where I expected support, and I have learned that speaking up about something you believe is wrong can come at a cost. There were moments when I had to step away, rethink relationships, and rebuild my confidence.

Another struggle has been feeling that, because I encourage others, I should always be strong. Sometimes I was helping someone else find hope while privately trying to find my own. Learning to acknowledge that I needed support too was an important part of my growth.

My faith has helped me through those seasons. I have also had to make practical changes, set boundaries, and become more intentional about where I give my time and energy. I am still learning, but those experiences have made me more compassionate toward people who are carrying responsibilities while facing struggles others cannot see.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an author, public speaker, and purpose and healing coach. My work focuses on identity, faith, personal growth, and helping people find direction, especially during seasons of change or uncertainty. Through writing, speaking, and conversations, I encourage people to understand who they are, recognize what matters to them, and take practical steps toward the life they want to build.

Through The Real You Collective, I create space for people to explore who they are beyond their roles and other people’s expectations. So many of us know how to introduce ourselves by what we do, but struggle when asked who we are. That question is at the heart of my first book, Tell Me About Yourself, and continues to shape my work.

My faith is the foundation of what I do. I speak about purpose, but I also make room for the questions, disappointments, and growth that come with pursuing it. I want people to feel comfortable being honest about where they are, rather than feeling they have to present a perfect version of themselves.

I am most proud of publishing my first book and continuing to use my voice even through difficult seasons. Taking something I had carried in my heart and turning it into a finished book was a meaningful accomplishment. I am also preparing new books, and I look forward to sharing more about it soon.

What sets my approach apart is the connection between faith, lived experience, and practical action. Encouragement matters to me, but so does helping someone consider what comes next: a decision, a boundary, a new direction, or a step they have been afraid to take. My studies in Public Administration and Studies in Law also reflect my desire to serve people and understand the systems that shape their opportunities.

Whether I am writing or speaking, I want people to leave with a clearer understanding of themselves and the courage to move forward. They do not need to have everything figured out before they begin.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
As a person of faith, I tend to think of luck in terms of grace, timing, and opportunities I could not have arranged on my own. There have been moments when an unexpected connection, a word of encouragement, or an open door helped me move forward. I know effort matters, but I also recognize that we do not control every circumstance, and support can make a real difference.

On the other side, I have experienced setbacks that felt unfair or came at the wrong time. Financial limitations and disappointments have affected how quickly I could pursue certain goals. I would not call every difficult experience a blessing, because some things were simply painful. But I have been able to learn from them and let those lessons shape my decisions.

In my writing and coaching work, I try to stay open to opportunities while being consistent with what is in my hands. I cannot predict when someone will connect with my message, but I can keep writing, speaking, and developing my work.

So I would say that timing and unexpected opportunities have played a role, alongside faith, effort, and the people who have supported me. I am grateful for the doors that opened, and I am learning to keep going when things take longer than I hoped.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnoella.m?stkn=cWc2cmNsbGxwa2w2&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Tqbjs1Rn9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noella-bope-mbulapey?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios