Cynthia Ruth Pitts

I give all the credit to my Lord.

Every day, I wake up thanking Him for the opportunity to serve and to be in a place where I can give back. Has my life been easy? No, it hasn’t. But I was raised with a foundation in Jesus Christ . I was richly blessed working with Ms. Carolyn Watson, we came together to start this journey, I said from the beginning—we have to do this God’s way. And every day, I give Him the glory for allowing us to serve the people in our community and surrounding areas.

What we’ve seen is nothing but His grace. We went from a 3,000-square-foot space to 7,500 square feet—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of God’s favor.

I submit to Him daily. I thank Him daily.

 I never forget where I came from. I remember the women in the church who saw a need in my life and simply gave—whether it was a bag of clothes to help me get through the week or a kind word that reminded me I wasn’t alone.

That’s why this work is so personal to me. Changing lives giving back to others seeing others successful. 

My strength comes from the Lord.

My best career advice is this: stop comparing yourself to others and focus on becoming the best version of YOU.

I didn’t go to college right out of high school. I went later in life to earn my degree—and that journey taught me something powerful: your timing is still God’s timing.

So many of us, especially as women, fall into the trap of comparison. We think we have to reach certain milestones by a certain age—career, education, marriage, children. And when our path looks different, we begin to question our worth.

But comparison will only distract you from your purpose.

God created you in His image, with your own unique gifts and talents. There is something inside of you that only YOU can carry.

When we stop trying to be someone else and fully embrace who we are, that’s where confidence begins. That’s where purpose comes alive.

I see so many young women trying to live life through someone else’s story—trying to be someone they were never created to be.

Just be yourself.

Don’t compare. Don’t compete. Don’t shrink.

Learn to see yourself as worthy—because you are.

If you have a desire to be a business owner or lead a nonprofit, keep following your dream.

It doesn’t matter how old you are when that dream comes full circle—keep pushing and keep believing. You never know when that knock on the door or that phone call will be the very moment connected to what God placed in your heart.

Don’t stop dreaming.

Life happens. Circumstances come. Situations try to shake your faith. But divorce does not define you. Hard seasons do not define you. Do not lose hope.

Keep dreaming. Hold it deep in your heart—you will overcome.

One day, that dream will turn into reality.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing so many lives changed through Bella’s Closet, and I’m so grateful to God for fulfilling dreams we once carried as little girls.

If you’ve been given a dream and you’re wondering where it’s going—don’t let it go.

It will happen… just don’t give up on it.

One of the biggest challenges we see at Bella’s Closet is helping people truly believe that what they’re receiving is free.

So many women walk through our doors with the mindset that they have to give something to get something. And in that moment, it’s not just about clothing—it’s about changing the conversation and helping them understand that there are still places filled with love, compassion, and no judgment.

Sometimes the challenge is also the deeper needs—the financial struggles or life situations that we may not be able to fully meet. But what we try to do is connect them with other organizations and remind them they are not alone. There are people and resources in the community who truly care.

Many of the women who come in are carrying brokenness. Some have been knocked down so many times that trusting anyone feels impossible. It takes time to rebuild that trust.

We serve women coming out of incredibly difficult situations, including domestic violence—women who may walk in with nothing but the clothes on their back.

And in those moments, it’s more than a boutique.

It’s a place of restoration.

A place of dignity.

A place where a woman can begin again.

At Bella’s Closet, our prayer is simple—that every woman who walks through our doors feels seen, valued, and reminded that her story is not over.

What values are most important to me in my work and personal life?

For me, it starts with transparency.

When you truly know who you are as a woman—when you’ve taken the time to see yourself, understand your worth, and define your values—you begin to walk differently. You begin to lead differently.

You don’t even have to say a word… people will see it in how you carry yourself, how you speak, and how you treat others.

As women, we wear many hats. So the question becomes: what is your priority in this season? What are you aiming for that will make your life—and the lives around you—better?

Your values are your core. They shape what you believe, how you respond, and how you show up in the world. But before you can pour into someone else, you have to know who you are first.

One of the greatest lessons my grandmother taught me was this: never give up. Even when life knocks you down.

And sometimes, that knockdown comes from places you didn’t expect—even from people you trusted.

But don’t give up.

Just keep standing, never give up!