Her parents named her "Little-wing" but thought better of it when she was two, renaming her after both the famous jazz and blues singers Bessie Smith and Mahalia Jackson.

After her father's mysterious disappearance when she was 7 her mother remarried a preacher and became very religious. The free spirited life she had become accustomed to was replaced with strict religious discipline, bible studies and church rules. At 14 she landed her first modeling job for girlfriend magazine although due to her religious beliefs she did very little to follow this up

At 21 she found herself in a disastrous marriage of 18 months, with a new husband who had spent all her savings and was having multiple affairs. She had a dead end job as a receptionist answering phones, was bored, distraught and had lost everything.

She decided not to be a victim of her past and instantly made a new start. pursuing her dreams to break stereotypes become a success and and inspire the people around her. Especially the women like her that she had worked and grown up with.

Within 2 years she was married to author and TV personality Geoff Barker (her husband of 10 years) had started her first company, and changed the course of her life...............

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• Bessie Hosted 2 tours to Iraq. Performing in Baghdad and 12 other military bases around the war zone Bessie had a plane named after her
• She also gave a speech the top 15 representatives of the coalition including corps commander Lt General Metz and the Iraqi liaison

Blending sass with style and professionalism, Bessie pushes the envelope of what a business woman should look and act like, preferring to believe that a fresh honest approach is always the best policy. Her drive and personality have seen her overcome many stereotypes and obstacles to create the brand she is today.

An  increasingly more active voice on many social  issues. Bessie is also a strong advocate of women issues including, health self esteem and  Youth issues.

A self confessed Virgo workaholic Bessie does all this with her high heels on and a twinkle in her eye, challenging  those who would disapprove of her open and fun attitude to life and business to think again before judging.

Bessie is an avid charity worker and gives up much of her time to host and participate in charity events around the country. With her particular passion being children's and women's health charities she is also a spokesperson and active fund raiser for several national organisations.

Married for 9 years to ex Gladiator Geoff Barker they work closely together on all her projects. With their motto 'wear who you are on your sleeve' and 'unto thine own self be true', Bess and Geoff  live life to the full brining a  fresh face and enthusiastic attitude to the new millennium couple.