November 26, 2025 • 17 mins
Ardean Miller-Marbley: Mah Melanin’s Growth, Representation, Black Santa, Holiday Tips + More
Tell Us A Secret
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ye yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yee.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Is what you all being waiting for.
Speaker 3 (00:03):
Oh oh, you're tapped in the way up with Angela yee.
Speaker 4 (00:07):
Yeah, what's good is way up with Angela yee? And
Happy Wealth Wednesday. It is the day before Indigenous People's
Day or some people celebrate Thanksgiving. And today we got
a special guest joining us, are De Miller.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
She is the CEO of My Melanin. My Melanin.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
Actually, when you've seen these amazing gift wraps and travel
bags and lifestyle products and things like that, that's black owned.
It's the first black owned brand in the gift wrap
category at Sam's Club Lows and at Hallmark Mahogany. It's
amazing the work that she's been able to do. But
the wrapping paper is fire. So we're gonna hear her
full story of how this all got started, and of
(00:44):
course we're going to start the show off with some
love and some positivity. Let's shine a light eight hundred
and two nine two fifty one fifty Call us up.
Let us know who you want to shine a light on.
It's way up, Luck up a.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Turn your lights on, y'all. Sauce bread, love to those
who are doing greatness.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Shinn the light on, shine the light on.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
It's time to shine a light.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
On what's up?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
His way up with Angela yee and Happy Wednesday, Happy
wealth Wednesday, eight hundred and two ninety two fifty one fifty.
Call us up, Let us know who you want to
shine a light on? Ayishah, who do you want to
shine a light on?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
All of us professional nanny what we do is not
easy to take this. You are so right, and.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
Let me tell you.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Let me tell you something. It is so hard.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
My friends who have been looking for nannies, when you
find a good one, you got to hold them tight.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
So I just want to sign a light on all
of us out here, just really doing the best you
can to provide a nursing environment.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
For y'all streams.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, that is so important. And them kids be loving
their nannies. Boy, and I know you love the kids too.
As a nanny you get a great attachment.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
But it is so important. So thank you so much
for calling.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
Yeah, y'all have a great davy all.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Right, you too, Hey, keV, how are you good?
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Andrew?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
The morning of the murder? Good morning, Who do you
want to shine a light on?
Speaker 7 (02:03):
Man?
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I gotta shin a lining the white Michelle, my daughter's
seventy and.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
My grand daughter Jail just set a first child.
Speaker 8 (02:09):
Three women for women, man, I gotta shin the light.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
On a baby.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Well, shout out to them and thank you for calling.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
No, thank you, you do what you doing?
Speaker 2 (02:16):
All right? You too?
Speaker 9 (02:17):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
That was shine a light eight hundred and two ninet
two fifty one fifty. If you couldn't get through, and
when we come back, we got tell us a secret
eight hundred two ninety two fifty one fifty. Any secret
that you have. It's a no judgment zone. We just
want to listen. It's way up, way up.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
This is a judgment free zone. Tell us a secret.
What's up?
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Its way up at Angela yee and the number is
eight hundred and two ninety two fifty one fifty. It's
time for you guys to tell us a secret.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What's up? Anonymous? Call it? Tell us your secret.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
My secret is on semany functions. I'm always in charge
of the macaroni if the say the family, But I
don't know how to cook that, so I go to
the store by put it in a nice little plate
or something.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Ooh, I'm not mad at that. That's called working smarter,
not harder. Yes, ma'am, I am not listening.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
When I hosted my house, I did Thanksgiving, I had
everything catered.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
Oh yes, I can't know. I have to cater everything.
So my family is kicky and ain't got tapping to
be such about my food.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
But I do want to say I don't lie though
they know.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Oh we're gonna learn how to cook together.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Okay, okay, thank you, all right, thanks for sharing, Canna,
Miss Calor.
Speaker 6 (03:35):
How are you hi?
Speaker 7 (03:37):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You want to tell us a secret?
Speaker 9 (03:38):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (03:39):
My secret is I'm having affair with my best.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Friend, hug baby. How long y'all been best friends?
Speaker 6 (03:47):
We did best friends for about that?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Okay, how did this even start?
Speaker 6 (03:51):
First of all, they recently just got there. But one
day we had a girl's night and we had another
whole too, and we have both in our partners there.
So her partner ended up leaving, which is currently her husband.
But then I want to go take a shower and
I come back and she was having spect.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
With my man. What so what I did?
Speaker 6 (04:11):
I told her man about it or whatever. We end
up cooking up and we just been on on and
off for about a year.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Maybe so wait, that's still your best friend after you
caught her having sex with your man?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I mean, I got my favorite. That's how I feel
about it.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
This don't sound like best friend behavior, you know.
Speaker 6 (04:30):
Yeah, I'm to sit her in our friends.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Do you want her husband?
Speaker 5 (04:34):
No? I do not.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
She she wanted my man though when I had them.
Do you want her to know about this?
Speaker 6 (04:40):
I mean if she hears it on the radio, she will.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Okay, all right, Well again this is a no judgment zone.
Thank you for calling.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Hey, that was tell us a secret eight hundred and
two ninety two fifty one fifty just in case you
couldn't get through. And when we come back, it is
a Wealth Wednesday. We do have our Dene Miller Marblay
joining us. She's the founder in CEO of My Melanin.
It's the first black owned brand in the gift wrap
category at Sam's Club, Low's and Hallmark Mahogany. She's got
such an amazing story about how she started her own brand.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It's way up better.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Dream of wealthy and I don't mind sharing my wealth.
Dog Get you straight financially, mentally and physically. This is
Wealth Wednesday on way Up with Angela Yee.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
What's up?
Speaker 4 (05:21):
His way up with Angela Yee on our Wealth Wednesday
with Stacy Tisdale.
Speaker 9 (05:25):
Happy Wealth Wednesdays, everybody, and boy, do we have gifts
for you today and we are wrapping them up beautifully
because we have our Dean Miller Marbley, who's the founder
and CEO of mom Melanin, which is the first black
owned brand in the gift sdrap category at Sam's Club,
Loew's and Hallmark Mahogany.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
And you know, we all need gift wrapping paper. This
is that time of the season. But you saw something
that you felt like was missing in the marketplace, and
I'm sure a lot of us have experienced, right. What
was that like when you realized this is what I
need so other people needed to.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
My kids growing up constantly purchasing wrapping paper for them
and not actually seeing them reflected on the wrapping paper.
I'm like, I need to change this, but not only
just introduce it to the world. Introduce it to the
world in a way where the characters are relatable to
our experiences in our traditions and what.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
We look like as a people.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
You have to do your research before you got this done.
You have to get a manufacturer, do all of those things.
But it was a little scary for you at first
to convince yourself to do this and invest in yourself
and take a chance. Tell me what that was like
for you and what made you overcome that.
Speaker 7 (06:38):
That's really deep with me, because what made me overcome
it was understanding the need for it.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
It was a little scary, but with.
Speaker 7 (06:49):
The knowledge and the research and mind determination, it was
easily accomplished.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
I'll tell you, but a thousand roles because you have
to pay for that and get it up front, and
they so out like in just a few months.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Yeah so yeah, So in twenty twenty when we first
literally launched, we went live in August on our website
and by November we had over three hundred orders in
one day.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I'm here with Stacy Tisdale for Wealth Wednesday, and we're
talking to the founder and CEO of My melanin, the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club Lows and Hallmark Mahogany are Dean Millan Marbley.
I want to talk about your marketing strategy too, because
it's one thing to have a great product that you
know people will want, but how do they even know
(07:38):
about it? So what I want to know is the
steps that you took. And I know you used a
lot of different social media outlets and things like that,
but how were you able to get the word out?
Speaker 7 (07:49):
Yes, So when I first started, there was a post
when something like keep screaming until someone hears you. At
some point they will hear about your brandy, And so
that was my foundation, Like I'm telling them about the brand,
raising awareness on Instagram, on Facebook, on TikTok, I'm reaching
(08:10):
out through inboxes and.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Our bank brand just blew up.
Speaker 7 (08:15):
We also a partner with Lows through a contest and
we were able to seal our first retail partnership with Lows.
And so definitely understanding your brand, speaking about your brand,
but surrounding yourself with the right people with the right knowledge.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
All right.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Our dar Milan Marblay is here with us, the founder
of my melanin for Wealth Wednesday, she collaborated with the
movie Unexpected Christmas. Also she's gotten celebrity endorsements from Tabitha Brown,
Master Pe and Teddy Riley.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
We have more with her when we come back.
Speaker 7 (08:48):
It's way up kind of dream of wealthy and I
don't mind sharing my Wealth dogs.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Getting you straight financially, mentally and physically. This is Wealth
Wednesday on way Up with angela ye.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
What's up his way?
Speaker 4 (09:00):
But the ante the yea happy Wealth Wednesday. We have
the founder and CEO of My Melon in here with
us today. Dean Mela Marblay is here. She's got the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club, Lows and Hallmark Mahogany. First of all, I
can't believe that there was nothing before twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
And like I just can't believe space.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
It's such a simple but amazing idea, you know what
I mean, Like, that's shocking to me that that didn't
that wasn't in these major retailers prior to that. And
you also expanded out of the wrapping paper too, right,
also into backpacks apparel.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Oh yeah, so we actually have backpacks as you mentioned, apparel, pillows,
we have shirts and teas, and we have beautiful Santa sax.
So we are not only just a Christmas brand, we
are an all occasion brand. Think of your feel good
brand where you want to feel represented and you want
to see your traditions in your designs. That's what My
(09:56):
Melanin is.
Speaker 9 (09:57):
How important do you think it is for those kids
to see black Santa Clauses to see that wrapping paper
because it's just not, you know, normal for them.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
It's not normal, and that is what we aim to
do to normalize it.
Speaker 9 (10:10):
Where I love to actually find the real.
Speaker 7 (10:12):
Ones Mahmelanin dot com as well as Sam's Club.
Speaker 9 (10:19):
This is perfect as we're kicking into that holiday shopping.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
I know, I'm so excited for that.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
I'm here with Stacy Tisdale for Wealth Wednesday and we're
talking to the founder and CEO of My Melanin, the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club, Lows and Hallmark Mahogany our Dean Mellon Marbling.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Holiday shopping is coming up.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Black Friday's coming up, So what's some advice that you
would give to our listeners.
Speaker 7 (10:41):
The advice that I would give is to be intentional
when shopping this holiday season. We have Black Friday coming
up and just ensuring that you are shopping with black
small owned businesses, that intentional shopping will number one. Could
keep businesses running, can keep business on shelves, and it
can also allow us to continue to be able to
(11:03):
give back to the community and empower the community. So
we're not asking that you're not shopped. We're just asking
that you shop intentionally and shop black.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You're right about that.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
I had a whole conversation earlier today about how hard
it is for business owners right now because the cost
of everything is so high, and then people also aren't
spending as much money, you know, and rightfully, so it's
a difficult time. So just that cycle of things costing more,
passing those costs on the consumers who don't have it
like that right now, who aren't trying to spend in
(11:36):
that way anymore. It's just something that is like a
time that we can uplift each other as much as possible.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
Yes, I totally agree, and as small black businesses, we
are depending on our community to help us to continue
to push forward and to stay in business.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Well, thank you, Ardian, it was a pleasure to have you,
and congratulations on all of your success and so much
more to iron, you know, and what a great way.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
To usher in the holiday season, and everybody go to
Teamwealth Wednesdays dot com. There's a feature on our Dean
and sign up for our free newsletter and you'll learn
even more about her.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
You can watch that for interview on my YouTube channel.
Way Up with Ye, And when we come back, we
have ask Ye eight hundred two nine two fifty one
fifty Any question you have, I got you back.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
It's way up, whether it's relationship, for career advice, Angela's
dropping facts you should you should know.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
This is ask ye. What's up?
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Its way up at Angela Yee and it is time
for ask Ye. That's when you get to call in
and any advice that you need, I'm here to help
you out. We got Stu Mitch on the line. What's
up Stumach, what's your question today? For ask Ye?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Right now?
Speaker 8 (12:40):
You know, I'm in a better position and financially more
than I was like three to six months ago. But
you know, even when we deal with adversity and still
having my own issues, I'm still you know, helping people
that I'm close to, not like mom or Dad, but you.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Know other people. So we're it's like I'm not even
really feeling appreciated, but it's just like, for some reason,
I still feel like I got to last help And
I don't know if it's just like smart need to
keep helping, or if I just need to go off
for how people they're treating me in return it.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Okay, So people that are close to you or asking
you to borrow money and you're lending it to them,
are they paying it back?
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I wouldn't even say it's like I'm loaning it.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Because like you're giving it to them, or.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
I've needed help before, you know, if people have been
loaning meet things or given me things.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
So are these are these the same people that are
asking you now?
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Okay, so a couple of things here. A.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
You always have the right to say no, now this
is somebody or people that have helped you in the past.
You can definitely set boundaries on like this is what
I have and this is really all I have that
I can do right now, So you.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Don't have to give them what they ask for.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
I've done this before where people will ask you for
a certain amount of money and you can say I
can't do that, but I can give you this, And
so you do have to let people know what your
boundaries are. You also can help people in ways that
are not financial, where you can say, well, right now,
I don't have the ability or I'm not able to
do that, But if you need help with X, Y
and Z, then I.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Can help you in that way.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
To set them down to Sometimes the more you do
for them, the more they're going to ask. And then
the one time you say no, they make you feel guilty,
They make you feel bad about it, and.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
They forget all the other times that you did things.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
But it does feel like these are also people who
have helped you in the past. So I do believe
that if somebody in good faith has done things for you,
you know, I will always try to do what I
can within reason.
Speaker 8 (14:30):
That's as far as like their appreciation part.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You know, sometimes you do want to feel appreciated.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
I don't want to all well, it feels like if
this is somebody close, you should be able to be
honest and just say, hey, you've helped me in the past,
and I greatly appreciate that. And I just want to
say I don't have a problem with helping you when
you need it in any way that I can, but
I do at times feel like, you know, a little appreciation.
I would like that, because sometimes if people don't know
(14:56):
how you feel, you can't expect them to read your mind.
Speaker 9 (15:00):
You want.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
That's right, Well, good luck. Continue to be a good person.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
Though, No, and I appreciate you find people with me, but.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Don't overextend yourself.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I do want to say that, because sometimes you sit
around being mad at somebody. They don't even know that
you're mad because you haven't said anything.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah, that's a big part with everything.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
All right, Well, good luck. I'm glad to know that
if I needed you got it.
Speaker 8 (15:21):
No, definitely, I appree.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
All right, take care.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
That was ask yee eight hundred two nine two fifty
one fifty in case you couldn't get through, And of
course we got you. I know everybody is anxious to
see family. We got a lot going on right now,
so let us be the soundtrack for everything that you
have happening on Way Up with ye when we come back,
of course y'all are going to have the last word too,
because this is your show.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
It's way up.
Speaker 7 (15:46):
Take up the phone, Tapian to get your voice heard.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
What the word is?
Speaker 2 (15:51):
He is the last word on Way Up with Angela?
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Yee?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
What's up as Way Up with Angela?
Speaker 9 (15:56):
Yee.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
I hope y'all had a great day with us today.
And you know, the holiday season is upon us. Tomorrow
is Indigenous People's Day, It's for some people. Thanksgiving. Friday
is Black Friday. Monday is Cyber Monday. Everybody's buying gifts again.
Just think really hard whatever you can do to make
sure you keep these dollars circulating. That's been a conversation
(16:17):
we've been having. Think about where you're spending your money.
Think about the brands that you could be supporting during
this time. And even if you're doing like just thoughtful gifts,
even beautiful wrapping paper, like from our guests today, our
d miler marblay my melanin, that means a lot.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I'm not gonna lie, y'all.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
I love nothing more than a gift wrapped present that
looks amazing. And it's the little things that always matter
the most. So check out that interview on my channel
on my YouTube channel Way Up with Ye and of
course you guys have the last word.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
I want to shed a light on my wee beautiful
six year old daughter named Charlie. She's such a chary
at foucive person. There was a little girl like who
was struggling every day going into the building. She would
try every single day and she was a great above
my daughter. My daughter's in first, she was in second,
And so several days in the row, as my daughter
walked up to the front of the building, she reached
her hand out, grabbed that little girl's hand and walked
(17:10):
her into the school every single day for several days.
And so she's no longer now afraid to walk into
the school. So only shining to light out on my
baby girl. Love you, You're the best mimmy. Mimmy loves in.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
The classon's going way out turn.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
I was with Angela Yee
Ye yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yee.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Is what you all being waiting for.
Speaker 3 (00:03):
Oh oh, you're tapped in the way up with Angela yee.
Speaker 4 (00:07):
Yeah, what's good is way up with Angela yee? And
Happy Wealth Wednesday. It is the day before Indigenous People's
Day or some people celebrate Thanksgiving. And today we got
a special guest joining us, are De Miller.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
She is the CEO of My Melanin. My Melanin.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
Actually, when you've seen these amazing gift wraps and travel
bags and lifestyle products and things like that, that's black owned.
It's the first black owned brand in the gift wrap
category at Sam's Club Lows and at Hallmark Mahogany. It's
amazing the work that she's been able to do. But
the wrapping paper is fire. So we're gonna hear her
full story of how this all got started, and of
(00:44):
course we're going to start the show off with some
love and some positivity. Let's shine a light eight hundred
and two nine two fifty one fifty Call us up.
Let us know who you want to shine a light on.
It's way up, Luck up a.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Turn your lights on, y'all. Sauce bread, love to those
who are doing greatness.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Shinn the light on, shine the light on.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
It's time to shine a light.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
On what's up?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
His way up with Angela yee and Happy Wednesday, Happy
wealth Wednesday, eight hundred and two ninety two fifty one fifty.
Call us up, Let us know who you want to
shine a light on? Ayishah, who do you want to
shine a light on?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
All of us professional nanny what we do is not
easy to take this. You are so right, and.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
Let me tell you.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Let me tell you something. It is so hard.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
My friends who have been looking for nannies, when you
find a good one, you got to hold them tight.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
So I just want to sign a light on all
of us out here, just really doing the best you
can to provide a nursing environment.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
For y'all streams.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, that is so important. And them kids be loving
their nannies. Boy, and I know you love the kids too.
As a nanny you get a great attachment.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
But it is so important. So thank you so much
for calling.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
Yeah, y'all have a great davy all.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Right, you too, Hey, keV, how are you good?
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Andrew?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
The morning of the murder? Good morning, Who do you
want to shine a light on?
Speaker 7 (02:03):
Man?
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I gotta shin a lining the white Michelle, my daughter's
seventy and.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
My grand daughter Jail just set a first child.
Speaker 8 (02:09):
Three women for women, man, I gotta shin the light.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
On a baby.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Well, shout out to them and thank you for calling.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
No, thank you, you do what you doing?
Speaker 2 (02:16):
All right? You too?
Speaker 9 (02:17):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
That was shine a light eight hundred and two ninet
two fifty one fifty. If you couldn't get through, and
when we come back, we got tell us a secret
eight hundred two ninety two fifty one fifty. Any secret
that you have. It's a no judgment zone. We just
want to listen. It's way up, way up.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
This is a judgment free zone. Tell us a secret.
What's up?
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Its way up at Angela yee and the number is
eight hundred and two ninety two fifty one fifty. It's
time for you guys to tell us a secret.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What's up? Anonymous? Call it? Tell us your secret.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
My secret is on semany functions. I'm always in charge
of the macaroni if the say the family, But I
don't know how to cook that, so I go to
the store by put it in a nice little plate
or something.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Ooh, I'm not mad at that. That's called working smarter,
not harder. Yes, ma'am, I am not listening.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
When I hosted my house, I did Thanksgiving, I had
everything catered.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
Oh yes, I can't know. I have to cater everything.
So my family is kicky and ain't got tapping to
be such about my food.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
But I do want to say I don't lie though
they know.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Oh we're gonna learn how to cook together.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Okay, okay, thank you, all right, thanks for sharing, Canna,
Miss Calor.
Speaker 6 (03:35):
How are you hi?
Speaker 7 (03:37):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You want to tell us a secret?
Speaker 9 (03:38):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (03:39):
My secret is I'm having affair with my best.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Friend, hug baby. How long y'all been best friends?
Speaker 6 (03:47):
We did best friends for about that?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Okay, how did this even start?
Speaker 6 (03:51):
First of all, they recently just got there. But one
day we had a girl's night and we had another
whole too, and we have both in our partners there.
So her partner ended up leaving, which is currently her husband.
But then I want to go take a shower and
I come back and she was having spect.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
With my man. What so what I did?
Speaker 6 (04:11):
I told her man about it or whatever. We end
up cooking up and we just been on on and
off for about a year.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Maybe so wait, that's still your best friend after you
caught her having sex with your man?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I mean, I got my favorite. That's how I feel
about it.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
This don't sound like best friend behavior, you know.
Speaker 6 (04:30):
Yeah, I'm to sit her in our friends.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Do you want her husband?
Speaker 5 (04:34):
No? I do not.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
She she wanted my man though when I had them.
Do you want her to know about this?
Speaker 6 (04:40):
I mean if she hears it on the radio, she will.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Okay, all right, Well again this is a no judgment zone.
Thank you for calling.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Hey, that was tell us a secret eight hundred and
two ninety two fifty one fifty just in case you
couldn't get through. And when we come back, it is
a Wealth Wednesday. We do have our Dene Miller Marblay
joining us. She's the founder in CEO of My Melanin.
It's the first black owned brand in the gift wrap
category at Sam's Club, Low's and Hallmark Mahogany. She's got
such an amazing story about how she started her own brand.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It's way up better.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Dream of wealthy and I don't mind sharing my wealth.
Dog Get you straight financially, mentally and physically. This is
Wealth Wednesday on way Up with Angela Yee.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
What's up?
Speaker 4 (05:21):
His way up with Angela Yee on our Wealth Wednesday
with Stacy Tisdale.
Speaker 9 (05:25):
Happy Wealth Wednesdays, everybody, and boy, do we have gifts
for you today and we are wrapping them up beautifully
because we have our Dean Miller Marbley, who's the founder
and CEO of mom Melanin, which is the first black
owned brand in the gift sdrap category at Sam's Club,
Loew's and Hallmark Mahogany.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
And you know, we all need gift wrapping paper. This
is that time of the season. But you saw something
that you felt like was missing in the marketplace, and
I'm sure a lot of us have experienced, right. What
was that like when you realized this is what I
need so other people needed to.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
My kids growing up constantly purchasing wrapping paper for them
and not actually seeing them reflected on the wrapping paper.
I'm like, I need to change this, but not only
just introduce it to the world. Introduce it to the
world in a way where the characters are relatable to
our experiences in our traditions and what.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
We look like as a people.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
You have to do your research before you got this done.
You have to get a manufacturer, do all of those things.
But it was a little scary for you at first
to convince yourself to do this and invest in yourself
and take a chance. Tell me what that was like
for you and what made you overcome that.
Speaker 7 (06:38):
That's really deep with me, because what made me overcome
it was understanding the need for it.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
It was a little scary, but with.
Speaker 7 (06:49):
The knowledge and the research and mind determination, it was
easily accomplished.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
I'll tell you, but a thousand roles because you have
to pay for that and get it up front, and
they so out like in just a few months.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Yeah so yeah, So in twenty twenty when we first
literally launched, we went live in August on our website
and by November we had over three hundred orders in
one day.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I'm here with Stacy Tisdale for Wealth Wednesday, and we're
talking to the founder and CEO of My melanin, the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club Lows and Hallmark Mahogany are Dean Millan Marbley.
I want to talk about your marketing strategy too, because
it's one thing to have a great product that you
know people will want, but how do they even know
(07:38):
about it? So what I want to know is the
steps that you took. And I know you used a
lot of different social media outlets and things like that,
but how were you able to get the word out?
Speaker 7 (07:49):
Yes, So when I first started, there was a post
when something like keep screaming until someone hears you. At
some point they will hear about your brandy, And so
that was my foundation, Like I'm telling them about the brand,
raising awareness on Instagram, on Facebook, on TikTok, I'm reaching
(08:10):
out through inboxes and.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Our bank brand just blew up.
Speaker 7 (08:15):
We also a partner with Lows through a contest and
we were able to seal our first retail partnership with Lows.
And so definitely understanding your brand, speaking about your brand,
but surrounding yourself with the right people with the right knowledge.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
All right.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Our dar Milan Marblay is here with us, the founder
of my melanin for Wealth Wednesday, she collaborated with the
movie Unexpected Christmas. Also she's gotten celebrity endorsements from Tabitha Brown,
Master Pe and Teddy Riley.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
We have more with her when we come back.
Speaker 7 (08:48):
It's way up kind of dream of wealthy and I
don't mind sharing my Wealth dogs.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Getting you straight financially, mentally and physically. This is Wealth
Wednesday on way Up with angela ye.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
What's up his way?
Speaker 4 (09:00):
But the ante the yea happy Wealth Wednesday. We have
the founder and CEO of My Melon in here with
us today. Dean Mela Marblay is here. She's got the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club, Lows and Hallmark Mahogany. First of all, I
can't believe that there was nothing before twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
And like I just can't believe space.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
It's such a simple but amazing idea, you know what
I mean, Like, that's shocking to me that that didn't
that wasn't in these major retailers prior to that. And
you also expanded out of the wrapping paper too, right,
also into backpacks apparel.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Oh yeah, so we actually have backpacks as you mentioned, apparel, pillows,
we have shirts and teas, and we have beautiful Santa sax.
So we are not only just a Christmas brand, we
are an all occasion brand. Think of your feel good
brand where you want to feel represented and you want
to see your traditions in your designs. That's what My
(09:56):
Melanin is.
Speaker 9 (09:57):
How important do you think it is for those kids
to see black Santa Clauses to see that wrapping paper
because it's just not, you know, normal for them.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
It's not normal, and that is what we aim to
do to normalize it.
Speaker 9 (10:10):
Where I love to actually find the real.
Speaker 7 (10:12):
Ones Mahmelanin dot com as well as Sam's Club.
Speaker 9 (10:19):
This is perfect as we're kicking into that holiday shopping.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
I know, I'm so excited for that.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
I'm here with Stacy Tisdale for Wealth Wednesday and we're
talking to the founder and CEO of My Melanin, the
first black owned brand in the gift wrap category at
Sam's Club, Lows and Hallmark Mahogany our Dean Mellon Marbling.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Holiday shopping is coming up.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Black Friday's coming up, So what's some advice that you
would give to our listeners.
Speaker 7 (10:41):
The advice that I would give is to be intentional
when shopping this holiday season. We have Black Friday coming
up and just ensuring that you are shopping with black
small owned businesses, that intentional shopping will number one. Could
keep businesses running, can keep business on shelves, and it
can also allow us to continue to be able to
(11:03):
give back to the community and empower the community. So
we're not asking that you're not shopped. We're just asking
that you shop intentionally and shop black.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You're right about that.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
I had a whole conversation earlier today about how hard
it is for business owners right now because the cost
of everything is so high, and then people also aren't
spending as much money, you know, and rightfully, so it's
a difficult time. So just that cycle of things costing more,
passing those costs on the consumers who don't have it
like that right now, who aren't trying to spend in
(11:36):
that way anymore. It's just something that is like a
time that we can uplift each other as much as possible.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
Yes, I totally agree, and as small black businesses, we
are depending on our community to help us to continue
to push forward and to stay in business.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Well, thank you, Ardian, it was a pleasure to have you,
and congratulations on all of your success and so much
more to iron, you know, and what a great way.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
To usher in the holiday season, and everybody go to
Teamwealth Wednesdays dot com. There's a feature on our Dean
and sign up for our free newsletter and you'll learn
even more about her.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
You can watch that for interview on my YouTube channel.
Way Up with Ye, And when we come back, we
have ask Ye eight hundred two nine two fifty one
fifty Any question you have, I got you back.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
It's way up, whether it's relationship, for career advice, Angela's
dropping facts you should you should know.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
This is ask ye. What's up?
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Its way up at Angela Yee and it is time
for ask Ye. That's when you get to call in
and any advice that you need, I'm here to help
you out. We got Stu Mitch on the line. What's
up Stumach, what's your question today? For ask Ye?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Right now?
Speaker 8 (12:40):
You know, I'm in a better position and financially more
than I was like three to six months ago. But
you know, even when we deal with adversity and still
having my own issues, I'm still you know, helping people
that I'm close to, not like mom or Dad, but you.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Know other people. So we're it's like I'm not even
really feeling appreciated, but it's just like, for some reason,
I still feel like I got to last help And
I don't know if it's just like smart need to
keep helping, or if I just need to go off
for how people they're treating me in return it.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Okay, So people that are close to you or asking
you to borrow money and you're lending it to them,
are they paying it back?
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I wouldn't even say it's like I'm loaning it.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Because like you're giving it to them, or.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
I've needed help before, you know, if people have been
loaning meet things or given me things.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
So are these are these the same people that are
asking you now?
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Okay, so a couple of things here. A.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
You always have the right to say no, now this
is somebody or people that have helped you in the past.
You can definitely set boundaries on like this is what
I have and this is really all I have that
I can do right now, So you.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Don't have to give them what they ask for.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
I've done this before where people will ask you for
a certain amount of money and you can say I
can't do that, but I can give you this, And
so you do have to let people know what your
boundaries are. You also can help people in ways that
are not financial, where you can say, well, right now,
I don't have the ability or I'm not able to
do that, But if you need help with X, Y
and Z, then I.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Can help you in that way.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
To set them down to Sometimes the more you do
for them, the more they're going to ask. And then
the one time you say no, they make you feel guilty,
They make you feel bad about it, and.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
They forget all the other times that you did things.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
But it does feel like these are also people who
have helped you in the past. So I do believe
that if somebody in good faith has done things for you,
you know, I will always try to do what I
can within reason.
Speaker 8 (14:30):
That's as far as like their appreciation part.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You know, sometimes you do want to feel appreciated.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
I don't want to all well, it feels like if
this is somebody close, you should be able to be
honest and just say, hey, you've helped me in the past,
and I greatly appreciate that. And I just want to
say I don't have a problem with helping you when
you need it in any way that I can, but
I do at times feel like, you know, a little appreciation.
I would like that, because sometimes if people don't know
(14:56):
how you feel, you can't expect them to read your mind.
Speaker 9 (15:00):
You want.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
That's right, Well, good luck. Continue to be a good person.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
Though, No, and I appreciate you find people with me, but.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Don't overextend yourself.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I do want to say that, because sometimes you sit
around being mad at somebody. They don't even know that
you're mad because you haven't said anything.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah, that's a big part with everything.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
All right, Well, good luck. I'm glad to know that
if I needed you got it.
Speaker 8 (15:21):
No, definitely, I appree.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
All right, take care.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
That was ask yee eight hundred two nine two fifty
one fifty in case you couldn't get through, And of
course we got you. I know everybody is anxious to
see family. We got a lot going on right now,
so let us be the soundtrack for everything that you
have happening on Way Up with ye when we come back,
of course y'all are going to have the last word too,
because this is your show.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
It's way up.
Speaker 7 (15:46):
Take up the phone, Tapian to get your voice heard.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
What the word is?
Speaker 2 (15:51):
He is the last word on Way Up with Angela?
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Yee?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
What's up as Way Up with Angela?
Speaker 9 (15:56):
Yee.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
I hope y'all had a great day with us today.
And you know, the holiday season is upon us. Tomorrow
is Indigenous People's Day, It's for some people. Thanksgiving. Friday
is Black Friday. Monday is Cyber Monday. Everybody's buying gifts again.
Just think really hard whatever you can do to make
sure you keep these dollars circulating. That's been a conversation
(16:17):
we've been having. Think about where you're spending your money.
Think about the brands that you could be supporting during
this time. And even if you're doing like just thoughtful gifts,
even beautiful wrapping paper, like from our guests today, our
d miler marblay my melanin, that means a lot.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
I'm not gonna lie, y'all.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
I love nothing more than a gift wrapped present that
looks amazing. And it's the little things that always matter
the most. So check out that interview on my channel
on my YouTube channel Way Up with Ye and of
course you guys have the last word.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
I want to shed a light on my wee beautiful
six year old daughter named Charlie. She's such a chary
at foucive person. There was a little girl like who
was struggling every day going into the building. She would
try every single day and she was a great above
my daughter. My daughter's in first, she was in second,
And so several days in the row, as my daughter
walked up to the front of the building, she reached
her hand out, grabbed that little girl's hand and walked
(17:10):
her into the school every single day for several days.
And so she's no longer now afraid to walk into
the school. So only shining to light out on my
baby girl. Love you, You're the best mimmy. Mimmy loves in.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
The classon's going way out turn.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
I was with Angela Yee
Way Up With Angela Yee News
Host
Angela Yee
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