Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda aka Bela Rigby-Bridges
Hi Linda aka Bela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Linda aka Bela Rigby is a dedicated Mother, Global Speaker, Public Servant, Philanthropist, and EntrepreneHer hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. I moved to The ATL 27 years ago with MCI a telecommunications company. After 14 years with MCI, I entered the world of contracting working at the federal government level with The CDC for 9 years and USDA for 3 years. After my federal government contracting work, I stepped into city-level government working with the 59th City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the 60th City of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms with the City’s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI). In October of 2020 during the pandemic, I decided to forge my path of becoming a full-time entrepreneur and finally resigned from Corporate America. I had created BELA BIZ LLC in 2013 originally but did not see the vision at the time. Today I work my business BELA BIZ LLC full-time! Consistently I also partner heavily with my mentor Ambassador Andrew J Young Jr on numerous philanthropy projects. I am also blessed to have another mentor who connected me to my love of TV production planning the Iconic Xernona Clayton who created The Trumpet Awards.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur for 11 years has been a rollercoaster ride BUT I would not trade my journey for anything. I have found that in the first 5 years, my road was more of a discovery journey. I didn’t have anyone to reach out to nor did I see anyone who looked like me. I used the resources of SBA and SCORE which actually saved my life through online and in-person training courses. From there I found people just like me who needed to feel a sense of community. After 2 cohorts and finding a business mentor, my confidence began to soar and my partnership increased. There was no smooth road for me, however, the best thing I discovered was that it only takes one person to give you a chance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
BELA BIZ LLC is a full-scale one-stop-shop event planning concierge, digital media, and non-profit business. I provide services like start-to-finish planning of different events including production planning, digital media on a virtual platform, and philanthropy work through non-profit foundations. BELA stands for (B)-Beatrice (E)-Ernestine (L)-Linda (A)-Ashlie representing the 4 generations on my Matriarch side. My resilience and indestructible spirit saw fit to create House of BELA BIZ Foundation in 2021 under the umbrella of God’s given direction. House of BELA BIZ Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources and emergency assistance to those in the sex trafficking & single Mom community. As the Founding Executive Director of this impactful organization, my commitment to advocacy and systemic change is most important. BELAUNPLUGGED is my podcast and YouTube channel. Please subscribe share like and hit the notification to receive excellent programming info. Go to my website ceobela.com for further info. We are always looking for amazing entrepreneurs to showcase during my Bela Unplugged segments. The show’s goal is to always provide inspiration, motivation, and encouragement for our listeners.
What matters most to you?
What matters to me most are the people and the community. My LEGACY has already been laid. To help over one million entrepreneurs abroad and nearby. I have a mantra to let entrepreneurs know that you don’t have to navigate the entrepreneur road alone. Help is always on the way!!! Because “ Collaboration Is My New Currency.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CeoBela.com
- Instagram: belaunplugged
- Facebook: BELA Linda Rigby
- Twitter: @Rigbybela
- Youtube: belaunplugged
- Yelp: None
- Soundcloud: None
- Other: None
Image Credits
YouTube Channels
StarzTina-The Elite Starz Experience
Miss-u-gram—Patty Freudenberg
