1980 ‘What Makes Jess Run?’ Article
Jess Bell sitting in his Western-inspired Lakewood, Ohio office at Georgetown Row, 1980. To celebrate Jess Bell's 100th Birthday today, I wanted to share this fascinating article the Cleveland, Ohio based newspaper The Plain Dealer printed and titled 'What Makes Jess Run?', interviewing Jess in November 1980. It's an incredibly honest yet exhilarating read displaying a glimpse into the man, the myth and the legend that he was. Jesse "Jess" Allen Bell was born on January 2nd, 1925 and was the son of Bonne Bell founder, Jesse Grover Bell and brother to thee Bonne, amongst many other important titles. Jess would later become President and CEO of Bonne Bell in 1959 until the end of 1999, when his son Buddy Bell assumed the role and took over. Jess was the creator of many famous Bonne Bell products, including Lip Smackers in 1973 . Besides being a trailblazing cosmetics innovator, he was a veteran who served as a paratrooper in World War II and as an airborne ...
