The story of Robert Bell is both inspirational and educational. The transformation of a street smart middle class kid into the "Sun King", the founder of the Banana Boat brand and the man who helped create the sun care industry, is remarkable. It's also classic Americana: Robert Bell's rise from a teenage lifeguard to industry titan encapsulates the passion and power of the American Dream. One cannot help but feel inspired by Bell's triumph over multiple adversities to attain astonishing success.
Always the maverick, Bell grew up as a rebel (and sometime trouble-seeker) in a tough middle-class Miami neighborhood. While his older brother and younger sister were excelling at academics, there was some concern about Bell's future. However, with strong values and athletics, primarily football (which he later pursued further in college and beyond -- even playing semi-Pro for a while), his life began to turn around. Due, in part, to his athletic training, Bell developed an indomitable work ethic and a fearless entrepreneurial spirit.
Having worked as a lifeguard and pool boy for most of his teen years, he developed a strong passion for sun care products (then known as "sun tan" products). Always a man of action, he began concocting his own lotions, often to the great delight of vacationers at the hotels and beaches where he worked. He daydreamed of building his own sun care brand and, while he was still in college, he did just that.
In remarkably short order, Bell proceeded to build the Banana Boat sun care brand from, literally, a garage operation to the global consumer products giant that it still is to this day. After making several fortunes in the sun care industry (primarily with the Banana Boat and Sea & Ski brands), Robert Bell proceeded to make several more in real estate and other industries/ventures -- including participation in a successful Hollywood film production company! This remarkable saga was recounted in Bell's 2008 bestselling autobiography, From Lifeguard to Sun King, pictured to the left (click here for the book's Amazon page).
Impressively, in the midst of all this intense business activity, Bell has maintained a high level of physical and emotional well-being. Through frequent exercise, meditation, and quality time with friends and loved ones, he has managed to preserve a healthful balance of mind, body, and spirit. Aside from the astonishing commercial success that he's had across multiple industries -- including an investment in a recognized Hollywood film production company, his groundbreaking introduction of high SPF sunscreens and other "Sun Health" innovations put his products in the front line in the battle against skin cancer.
In recognition of both his business success and his role in the fight against skin cancer, Robert Bell has been honored by both President Bush (Sr.) and President Clinton. He is also the recipient of Merril Lynch/Ernst & Young/Inc Magazine's prestigious "Entrepreneur of the Year" award, listed in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 under 40", and has also been inducted into the American Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame. A statue of his likeness is on display at the Florida International University Hall of Fame where he is honored as a distinguished alumnus.
Bell has been sought after as a strategic adviser across the world and, in that capacity, Bell and his associates have assisted hundreds of successful companies in multiple industries. After all, how many advisers have actually built a business from a garage operation to one of the world's most recognized brands? In short, Robert Bell is acclaimed as one of the world's premier business leaders and advisers.
Always the maverick, Bell grew up as a rebel (and sometime trouble-seeker) in a tough middle-class Miami neighborhood. While his older brother and younger sister were excelling at academics, there was some concern about Bell's future. However, with strong values and athletics, primarily football (which he later pursued further in college and beyond -- even playing semi-Pro for a while), his life began to turn around. Due, in part, to his athletic training, Bell developed an indomitable work ethic and a fearless entrepreneurial spirit.
Having worked as a lifeguard and pool boy for most of his teen years, he developed a strong passion for sun care products (then known as "sun tan" products). Always a man of action, he began concocting his own lotions, often to the great delight of vacationers at the hotels and beaches where he worked. He daydreamed of building his own sun care brand and, while he was still in college, he did just that.
In remarkably short order, Bell proceeded to build the Banana Boat sun care brand from, literally, a garage operation to the global consumer products giant that it still is to this day. After making several fortunes in the sun care industry (primarily with the Banana Boat and Sea & Ski brands), Robert Bell proceeded to make several more in real estate and other industries/ventures -- including participation in a successful Hollywood film production company! This remarkable saga was recounted in Bell's 2008 bestselling autobiography, From Lifeguard to Sun King, pictured to the left (click here for the book's Amazon page).
Impressively, in the midst of all this intense business activity, Bell has maintained a high level of physical and emotional well-being. Through frequent exercise, meditation, and quality time with friends and loved ones, he has managed to preserve a healthful balance of mind, body, and spirit. Aside from the astonishing commercial success that he's had across multiple industries -- including an investment in a recognized Hollywood film production company, his groundbreaking introduction of high SPF sunscreens and other "Sun Health" innovations put his products in the front line in the battle against skin cancer.
In recognition of both his business success and his role in the fight against skin cancer, Robert Bell has been honored by both President Bush (Sr.) and President Clinton. He is also the recipient of Merril Lynch/Ernst & Young/Inc Magazine's prestigious "Entrepreneur of the Year" award, listed in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 under 40", and has also been inducted into the American Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame. A statue of his likeness is on display at the Florida International University Hall of Fame where he is honored as a distinguished alumnus.
Bell has been sought after as a strategic adviser across the world and, in that capacity, Bell and his associates have assisted hundreds of successful companies in multiple industries. After all, how many advisers have actually built a business from a garage operation to one of the world's most recognized brands? In short, Robert Bell is acclaimed as one of the world's premier business leaders and advisers.