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 infantry regiment commander in the Korean War. You could say those probably contributed his wildly adventurous side and being an avid outdoor enthusiast who loved skiing, mountain climbing and long-distance running that would later contribute to Bonne Bell's international marathons in the 1970's through the very early 1990's. 

We lost Jess nearly 20 years ago in September 2005 but he remains an absolute legend to everyone he came in contact with, including his employees who to this day share fond memories of working for the company over the decades under his leadership. 

There's so much more to share about the beloved Jess Bell here down the road. Until then...

Fun fact; Jess was once partial owner the the New York Yankees in the 1960's.