The human story behind BellBell
BellBell grew from real teams, real pressure and a lot of listening.
For more than two decades, I worked alongside people in fast-moving, multicultural environments.
BellBell brings together what those years taught me about communication, leadership and the way teams grow.
Why BellBell exists
BellBell was created because leaders and teams often need something more useful than a ready-made answer. They need space to think clearly, practise a different approach and decide what they are ready to do next.
That is what BellBell is meant to be: a boutique studio that stays close enough to understand the context, while helping people build the clarity and capability to continue on their own.
Irena LoborecFounder, BellBell Growth Studio
My story / Your journey
A lesson I carried forward.
I used to think strong leaders were the ones who carried everything quietly. They stayed calm, solved problems and protected the team, even when they felt overwhelmed themselves.
Working across tourism, cruise operations, team leadership and HR changed the way I understood that. Leadership is not about having every answer. It is about creating enough clarity and trust for people to say what is really happening — and helping them find a practical way forward.
One experience made that especially clear. A young team member joined my team with energy and ability, but very little confidence. His first weeks were difficult, his results were inconsistent and the team had already begun to see him as a problem.
Instead of treating those first weeks as the measure of his potential, we focused on what would help that potential become visible. We talked honestly, practised the skills that mattered, made expectations clear and gave him real responsibility. He took it from there. He became an exceptional, top-performing team member — the go-to person colleagues trusted for help and advice.
This is one of the lessons I carried into BellBell: people do not need to be rescued or managed more. Often, they need a clearer view of the situation, honest expectations, useful support and enough space to do the work themselves.
Experience that shaped the work
The places where BellBell began taking shape.
Long before BellBell had a name, the work was already taking shape through leadership, people development and HR roles in fast-moving, international environments.
What people remember
In their own words.
And among them is a warm note from the brave person at the heart of the story above.
I had the pleasure of working with Irena at the very beginning of her career, during an intense season in tourism animation, where she served as my team leader. Even then, while still completing her degree, Irena demonstrated the maturity and leadership skills of a seasoned manager.
As a leader, she built authority not through hierarchy or forced commands, but through knowledge and exceptional emotional intelligence. I witnessed her handle high-pressure situations — from volatile guests to attempts to destabilise the team — with unwavering composure. Her approach was a masterclass in non-violent conflict resolution: evidence-based, persistent and always delivered with that signature, genuine smile that could disarm the most difficult situations while remaining firm in her professional principles.
Following her professional journey over the past 16 years — from managing large-scale teams on international cruise ships to her specialisation in Human Resources — it is clear that Irena has developed a unique expertise in diagnosing and resolving complex team dynamics. She does not offer theoretical platitudes; she provides concrete management skills forged on the “front lines”.
Irena is a rare professional: a leader who balances the strength required for HR management with the human warmth that builds lasting trust. If you are looking for someone who knows how to identify team issues before they escalate, guide people through crises and implement a culture of healthy communication and strong interpersonal relationships, her expertise and experience make her an exceptional choice for any organisation aiming to build a successful and stable team.
Working under Irena’s leadership on board was an absolute pleasure. Managing a team on a cruise ship is highly dynamic, and she excelled at keeping everyone motivated and performing at their best. She is organised and inspiring. Her communication style is incredibly clear, warm and supportive, and she always prioritised our professional growth and development. She is a natural mentor.
She’s the sweetest manager I’ve ever worked with. She’s always ready to listen, prioritises our needs and assigns work based on everyone’s strengths. Whenever I learned new tasks, she patiently practised with me repeatedly until I could handle things on my own. Never acting like a superior, she treated us as friends. I’m really grateful to have met her; I learned so much and had a wonderful contract period.
It was a true pleasure working with you. What stood out most to me was your clear communication and how you always made the team feel supported.
You created an environment where it was easy to grow and collaborate. I really value the time we spent working together.
I always felt heard and valued under your leadership. Thank you for being such an inspiring guide, and I wish you the best of luck with BellBell.
You were so much more than a boss to me. You were a source of strength, support and belief at a time when I needed it most. Being far from home, surrounded by uncertainty and struggling with my own fears and insecurities, I often felt small and unsure of myself. But you saw something in me that I couldn’t even see in myself.
You were the first person outside my country who truly believed in me. Your trust gave me the courage to keep going, to push through my doubts and to finish my first contract — something that once felt impossible.
What makes it even more special is that you believed in me when I was still hiding, when I wasn’t confident and when I didn’t feel ready. Somehow, you still saw my potential. That changed me. Because of you, I grew. Because of you, I stayed. Because of you, I started believing that maybe I am capable of more.
I will always carry that with me. Thank you for seeing me, for supporting me and for being such an important part of my journey. I will always be grateful to you.
Working with Irena is not just a professional experience; it is something you carry with you long after your contract ends. I have known her for more than ten years, through different ships, roles and teams, and even as roommates. One thing that has never changed is her ability to bring calm, clarity and genuine care into every space she enters.
What stands out most in her communication is how deeply she listens. Irena doesn’t rush to give answers. She creates a safe space first — one where people feel comfortable enough to be honest, even when the topic is difficult. She has this rare gift of saying exactly what needs to be said, but always with kindness. She doesn’t avoid the truth, but delivers it in a way that helps you grow instead of shutting down.
As a Youth Activities Manager, I can say that working with Irena reminds you why leadership development matters. She doesn’t just run workshops or coaching sessions. She builds trust. She strengthens culture. She helps teams become healthier and individuals become braver.
