Influential Woman · Manufacturing Food CPG
Teneisha Thompson
CEO & Co-Founder, Bell's Reines
Rockville, MD
Her Story
About Teneisha
Teneisha Thompson serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Bell's Reines, a cookie company focused on manufacturing in the food CPG sector, which she launched in 2020 alongside her daughter and co-founder Angel Cephas. With 30 years of prior federal service experience, including contracts administration and procurement roles culminating in retirement in September 2023 followed by 2.5 years as a NASA contractor, she applies her expertise in contract acquisition and compliance to her business. Her psychology background informs her approach to hospitality and scaling, supported by certifications as a food handler, food safety, allergy, and Non-GMO Project Verified. She is a member of the Les Dames d'Escoffier Washington D.C. regional chapter and was selected for the Goldman Sachs Black in Business 1 Million Black Women program (cohort 10) from over 1,000 applicants.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Teneisha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my father and the legacy he wanted me to create. He asked me to do certain things while alive, and after he passed, I felt the need to build this real legacy for me and my two kids. It involves embracing the unknown while holding onto family, legacy, and core values, with a strong work ethic and strategy.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is pretty much don't give up. You don't know that you have everything within you until you sit with yourself to reflect on what's really at hand. It's a journey, not a race.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It is not for the saint and weak at heart. The idea that one day somebody might not like what you believe you perfected and put your heart and soul and passion into does not mean you don't have a great product. It's just not your client or customer, and it's okay. Take it in stride and utilize constructive feedback.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include staying afloat with financial backing using my own funds because barriers to entry for a cookie company into the CPG arena are very costly. Opportunities include reaching towards more catering and events, creating partnerships with custom baskets and design companies, and pitching to big event planning organizations in Washington D.C.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
You have to trust yourself so that naysayers don't say you can't do it. As a minority and as a woman, that is a high barrier. Joining together with my daughter to pay homage to my father and ensure that we have our voice and we are heard is very near and dear to me.
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