We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Grace and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily Grace, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was searching for the freedom to create my own schedule and be able to live my life without being confined to societal norms, while being able to stay creative and share my art & music with the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started Mad Mellow as a hobby & when I realized how much others loved my creations I decided to pursue it and make it an LLC. The real push for me was, unfortunately , one of my Best friends passing away. We were working at a bbq restaurant together and after her passing I began to have panic attacks every-time I showed up for work. I knew I had to get out of that environment and get my life under control. I dealt with panic attacks for months after and it was the push to make my business ideas a reality as I didn’t see myself being able to work a normal job with the attacks being so present in my life at the time. Yoga and meditation became a way of life to help calm my nervous system. I started slow but worked my way into finding places to showcase my jewelry 4-5 times a week, alongside local bands I’m lucky enough to call friends now. Fast forward to present day, Mad Mellow has grown not only as a jewelry business and brand but it is now also a band. The band started as me and my bassy, Miss Erica Mae, getting together in her living room just jamming and seeing what we could come up with. I had already written a few songs so that was a good push for us to see where we could take ourselves musically. We continued to practice for a few months before recruiting a drummer. Now we have a full five piece band consisting of ukelele, bass, guitar, drums, & keys! Me and Erica have come a long way musically and now have so many originals we are slowly getting recorded and out into the world! So far we have “Serenity”, “I Am Worthy”, & Energy Exchange available on all platforms, & we are releasing another original Called “Dark Road” 2/22/24! We Are Playing Four Festivals This year and are super stoked to see where the music journey takes us! As far as it all being easy?? I wouldn’t say it’s easy at all, but it’s worth it for sure! I have people ask me all the time how I do it, & and the answer is to stay motivated and consistent and always be open minded because you never know who will walk into your life and what opportunities will arise before your eyes! Stay true to yourself and be clear of what you want and then put your mind to achieving your goals one step at a time. It’s not a race, everything will come together at the right time! I promise there is so much out there in this world for us all, lifting each other up and supporting each other, being kind and encouraging, and showing up with love is always the key to getting far in this lifetime. No one will conquer your dreams for you so set your goals and figure out how your going to achieve them, like I said before, it’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it! As far as what I’d want you to know about my brand, my jewelry is created with intention & love in each and every piece, and my songs are written from the heart and come from from a very vunerable place that I hope they are relatable to a lot of people and can help them through tough times. These songs are a reminder that you are never alone in your struggles and there are always people who you can talk to and relate with when it comes to being in a dark place! We have to help each other through the hard times so we can all prosper and rise as one collective unit!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely have to take my bestie to Guanabanas to enjoy their food and islandy atmosphere! I love enjoying the vibe there, the food is amazing and they always have live music, which I am a huge fan and supporter of. I am a big foodie so most of our outings would probably consist of food and music! I also love Chris’s taverna! Their Greek food is absolutely amazing and I recommend it to anyone who asks me for food recommendations! Also, tacos!!!! I think I could seriously eat tacos everyday! Seems how I know my bestie loves tacos Al carbon I think I would definitely treat her to that! We would of course have to visit the beaches! My favorite beach as of lately is Juno beach! I love how it’s not super crowded and busy so you get to enjoy the sound of the waves! I have been doing a lot of salt therapy lately too, so I would most likely treat her to a session at the salt suite of of lantana and 441, they are all so sweet there too and the benefits are endless! My bestie is a yoga teacher so we would most likely take a couple yoga classes while she’s in town as well! We are very laid back chicks so the partying lifestyle isn’t really our cup of tea, but I also came across a really cute coffee shop the other day in west Palm called “the salty donut” so I would definitely have to take her there! If we did decide to partake in a glass of wine or two we’d probably go to kapow in city place, as that’s our go to for our wine dates! Of course we would have to go check out some of my favorite local music as well!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout would have to go to all my friends & family that have been supportive and encouraging of me following my dreams. Specifically my mother, Cheryl, My producer & mentor Ricky Bolufe, My Band, Miss Erica aka bass queen, Devon , Brawn, & Enrique for sticking by my side through all the ups & downs of band life, my best friends Genesis & Alex for always standing by me in my decisions and being my biggest fans in whatever I do in this life! Also special shoutout to 561 music and long live the scene for being so supportive of the local arts and helping me get band gigs and allowing my jewelry setup at shows, yall rock!

Website: Www.madmellowflorida.com

Instagram: @og.mad.mellow & @mad.mellow.music

Facebook: Og Mad Mellow & Mad Mellow Music

Other: https://linktr.ee/og.mad.mellow

Image Credits
Joshua McMillan Mad Loud Media Productions

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