Hidden Gems: Meet Shirley Bell of Elements of Internal Movement Non Profit & Royal Priesthood Lifestyle Brand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Bell. 

Hi Shirley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Cleveland State University graduate. My undergrad is early childhood education and my Master’s is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I was recently accepted into the Policy Studies Doctorates program. From my personal experience growing up, I have always had the awareness of the healing nature of art and the importance of non-conventional learning. In undergrad Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf educational philosophies were all I could focus on. In grad school I came to know that art can save lives. As I learned about how psychodrama therapy was used to address trauma, recidivism, and struggling middle school students I knew art would be my focus in mental health. It was not until recently that I had to come into a reckoning with myself that instead of trying to force my understanding of education and mental health into the system I must work outside the system. I recently made the decision to put myself fully into the vision and let go of the day career working in the system. Elements of Internal Movement nonprofit organization was formed in 2013. Royal Priesthood Lifestyle Brand LLC was founded in 2015. The Royal Priesthood Lifestyle Brand sits on the foundation of my faith and experiences growing up. We make clothing with inspirational messaging. During the pandemic when much of our self-care routine was interrupted we began to move into the industry of body care. The body care line was birthed from a need to have a pampering experience in the home. We work with wellness businesses in the area to provide products that give an affordable pampering experience.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been smooth, but in the last 2 years, it has been fruitful. I now understand the business concept of in times of greatest need there is greatest opportunity. The biggest struggle was not having the opportunities that I expected when I began the journey. When the pandemic hit both the LLC and the Non-Profit had great progress. We were able to meet opportunities with years of preparation. We had been preparing for a long time and felt stagnant at times. But had we not been preparing we would not be able to withstand the weight of the demand that the pandemic brought.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Elements of Internal Movement has two compacities in which it moves in. We provide art programming to youth that teaches Social-Emotional Learning. We also run a community garden that has community events, facilitate field trips, and provide free produce. Much of what we do with art programming is done through partnerships with local schools, organizations, and detention centers. During the summer months, we are engaging the youth and offering tons of free services. Check out the website (www.eoim.org). Royal Lifestyle Brand not only sells apparel and body products but has been able to be a part of the small business journey of others. We service affordable bulk orders of customized t-shirts to small businesses, family reunions, and other needs. Our body care can be found at 1,000 Pounds Lighter Fitness Gym for sale. Restoration Bar uses exclusively our all-natural body oils in their massage and body care treatments. You can also check us out online to start a bulk order, buy apparel, or purchase all-natural body care.

In both the nonprofit and LLC what I am most proud of is our dedication to those that we serve and the partnerships that we have formed. All of our progress has come from word of mouth. People that were satisfied with, felt supported by, or really impacted by what we did brought more people to us. As we are dedicated to those we serve their wellness is our priority. While Elements of Internal Movement focuses more on social, emotional, physical, and mental health. RPH has a priority of spiritual wellness. It is our focus on supporting the wellness of our community that sets us apart.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success by definition is meeting a clearly stated goals. I am very goal-oriented and have learned lately to have a different perspective on goals. As me and my husband welcome more children into our family my priorities are changing. Everyone’s success looks different. This is the first season in my life where my goals are not focused on school, career, or business. Now I surround my goals around my priority of family. For me, success in this season is making an impact on my community while spending most of my time working from home. That is something else that this pandemic has brought me. I have learned through the ability to work from home how to balance home and business. So set your personalized goals and make steps to reach them.

Pricing:

• Field Trips and Events at Garden free
• Fresh Produce Free
• Turmeric Bar Soap $10
• All Natural Body Oil $10
• Apparel pricing online

Contact Info:

• Email: elements.movement@gmail.com
• Website: www.eoim.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoim_themovement/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revlovegarden/
• Other: www.royalpriesthood129.com

Image Credits
Angela Finley
Tadoshya Jackson
Sherolynn Eppinger