We had the good fortune of connecting with Trina Bell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trina, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Growing up in a musical family in Gary, Indiana, singing, performing and songwriting was a huge part of my upbringing. When I was about 8-years-old my mother formed a singing group with herself  as the lead and myself & siblings interchanging between singing backgrounds or leading our own songs. While the neighborhood kids were outside playing, we’d be inside practicing for upcoming shows or out-of-state appearances.

Oftentimes I’d want to stop and go play with my friends, but I’d only be allowed to after I’d done the routine correctly. That made me work that much harder because I knew that the sooner I perfected it the sooner I could be done.

That type of diligence and discipline carried over into my adult years. It was especially helpful when I signed to Columbia Records with my sister Tamara as one half of the duo Trina & Tamara. Long hours in the studio, writing and rewriting lyrics or singing the same part over and over was a no-brainer!

It definitely shaped how I approach running my own businesses and has admittedly made me a bit of a perfectionist.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Adict Charmery was founded in 2013 after my love of of stackable bracelets was beginning to get costly. After comparing the various prices of different brands, I took the lowest price and knew that there HAD to be a way for me to create them for less. Afterall, if that’s what it was selling for, then how much could the supplies be?

It all came together when I stumbled across the bead district in downtown LA. There were stores upon stores selling gorgeous strands of gemstones, semi-precious stones and all of the findings; it was exactly what I’d been searching for.

I then began making stackable sets for myself, and once I posted pictures of them online I started getting custom requests for specific stones, colors and themes and it basically took off from there.

Through the relationships I’d developed during my music career I was able to get product placement on outlets like TV One, BET, Fox, E! Entertainment, Essence Magazine and high-profile artists/actors.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite things about LA is it’s full of so many hidden gems! Being the foodie that I am, if I had to plan an itinerary for the week for an out-of-town visitor it would definitely be filled with some good eats.

Taste Of India in Sherman Oaks is hands down one of my favorite Indian restaurants ever, and Dan’s Subs in Woodland Hills is a must-have!

I also love Lemonade. It’s also in Sherman Oaks and has a unique variety of hand-crafted lemonades. If you visit you have to try the white truffle macaroni & cheese.

To relax I’d take them on a drive through the canyons or to visit my “secret” spot on Malibu beach. It’s a little nook of an entry way that my son spotted one day while we were driving. It’s always so peaceful, away from the crowd and a great place to spot dolphins!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Adict Charmery brand certainly wouldn’t have come this far without the support of my husband who trusts my process and allows me the freedom to pursue it, my friends and family who have not only made purchases but who’ve also spread the word about the brand, and of course  my loyal customers!

Website: www.adictcharmery.etsy.com

Instagram: @adict_charmery and @bohochic_lv

Facebook: Trina Bell

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.