Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Bouvier.
Hi Leslie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Miss Liberty Belle started in 2016 with a simple photo shoot that was pin-up style. My photographer heard me sing & she connected me with an organization looking for someone to sing some WWII-era songs for an event to honor WWII vets. I agreed to sing for the event dressed up as a 1940’s pin-up. It didn’t seem right to hop up on stage with my given name, so I searched through WWII nose art until I found one that I liked. It was a B-17 named Liberty Belle. I performed at the event as Miss Liberty Belle & it was a big hit. After that, I was asked to do American Legion meetings, car shows, birthdays, etc. All until one day, a veteran-centric nonprofit found out that I had a past in event planning/coordination & they asked me to put something together to help them raise funds for their cause. Since then, I have assisted several veteran-centric nonprofits in raising awareness & funds for their causes. Organizations include the Fisher House Foundation, Veteran Last Patrol, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. In addition to assisting these other nonprofits, I assist veterans transitioning from the military into the civilian job sector. Miss Liberty Belle provides resume coaching & interview practice, professional headshots, and networking events. And that brings us to 2023. It’s a wide range of services, but it’s all to help veterans in their life stages. Miss Liberty Belle partners with other veteran-centric nonprofits to help provide a holistic approach to serving all who have served us.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a bumpy road at times. I applied for my 501(c)3 status in the middle of Covid. Due to the federal offices being closed, getting approved was a huge delay. But if it finally happened & just at the right time. After that, the hardest part of running the nonprofit is finding volunteers to work events & sponsors to contribute to making the organization run. Miss Liberty Belle’s mission is privately funded through donations, gifted services & partnerships with other veteran-centric nonprofits & local businesses across South Carolina.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Aside from running the nonprofit, I’m also a recruiter for Sysco Foods. My day job is a natural fit for assisting veterans with their civilian job hunt.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The biggest contributor to the success of Miss Liberty Belle has the heart & desire to serve our country’s veterans. They stood up to do something that I wasn’t capable of doing. So I am forever grateful & will always go out of my way to serve our vets.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.misslibertybelle.org
- Instagram: misslibertybelle13
- Facebook: facebook.com/MsLibertyBelle
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/miss-liberty-belle/
