We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alison Masson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alison, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
What I love most about Metal Babe Mayhem is that I created a community of people from all walks of the earth worldwide who are united by our love for Music and Fashion. This love has bound a group of us together by blood! Literally, there are a dozen (and counting) people who have tattooed some form of MBM on their bodies for life! The craziest of the tattoos is David King, who tattooed the Lips/Bones logo, along with the letters MBM, onto his right hand with his left hand! (RIP David). I am forever honored and grateful to those in our community, who believe in me and MBM, and to those who have joined the “tattoo club!”
Alison, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in a St. Louis, MO suburb and have loved music/fashion for as long as I can remember. I went to my first major concert at 10 years old and have been living and breathing rock n’ roll since. The two biggest stepping stones to get to where I am today are when I interned for a music marketing company in college and working at a rock n’ roll clothing store for quite a few years. Between these tools, and my Marketing/Communications degree, I felt I was ready to take on Hollywood, CA.
I’d known I always wanted to live in Hollywood… Since I first heard Poison and Mötley Crüe sing about the Sunset Strip, I just had to do it right. Within two years of living in L.A. I created Metal Babe Mayhem, which was a combination of my two loves… Music and Fashion. I created the lips/bones logo, and my first guitar pick necklace and t-shirt.
It is hard to believe it’s already been 16 years. I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs over this time, and while learning from the downs, I focus on the ups and stay positive about continued future growth.
Metal Babe Mayhem is an online rock n’ roll clothing store that sells clothing, jewelry, and accessories worldwide. We have 30+ unique designs on tank tops, loose fit women’s shirts, V-necks, men’s t-shirts, hoodies, leggings, tote bags, etc. In addition, the line consists of hand-made guitar pick necklaces, earrings, clocks, and guitar parts jewelry. We also carry officially licensed band merch from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, AC/DC, Motörhead, and more.
My mission with Metal Babe Mayhem is to make people look and feel good! Anyone can be a “Metal Babe,” regardless of age, race, or sex. As a small business, I have personal interactions with every customer and ensure satisfaction with their orders. I am always here to assist as needed and love to bring people up, using my positivity, and any way I know how.
I’m most proud that I am still doing it, still moving onward and upward, continuing to grow and add to the line. I am so proud of my supporters. I could not do it without them, as well as my family and close friends. I am proud of the success I have achieved with major bands like Armored Saint, LA Guns, Blue October, and more wearing my merchandise all over the world. I am truly honored when I see anyone wearing MBM, whether it’s a friend, a customer, or a band onstage in front of thousands of people. I truly appreciate every one of you.
A lot of times people are scared off by the name. They think if they don’t like “Metal” it’s not for them. Or if they don’t feel they are a “Babe.” Sometimes guys don’t think it’s for them. I would like for everyone to know that Metal Babe Mayhem is for EVERYONE. We carry so many unique and varied products you can’t get anywhere else. Many of them are music related. Our sizes run from XS to 4XL. And… We can do custom orders! So if you see something you like and you would like it in a different color or style, just reach out and I will see what I can do to make that happen! I just want you all to look and feel good! We are all Metal Babes!
Please visit bio.site/MetalBabeMayhem for all things related to Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen and Metal Babe Mayhem.
MetalBabeMayhem.com is your “One Stop Rock Shop” with 500+ items for sale, music, videos, interviews, reviews, and more!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
One, I have very strong work ethics and values. I give credit to my parents for this because my sister and I were raised by two loving, caring, intelligent, and creative parents. They taught us early the difference between right and wrong. To this day, neither of us would steal a penny, and we would both give the coat off our backs if it was the right thing to do. This crosses over into business, how you treat people, and how you treat customers. I am in full communication with every customer, I do everything in my power to ensure they have a pleasant experience and are happy with their product, and I love to include a hand-written note and extra gift in their orders. Also, I keep all of my social media positive, uplifting, PG-13, and am in communication the best that I can be.
Two, is that I am a real person… Completely transparent. I don’t hide anything, I put everything out on the table. I am approachable and reachable. I am out in the crowds at the shows, meeting people. Greeting them with a smile, eye contact, and a firm handshake. I like to connect with people and let them know about Metal Babe Mayhem any way that I can. I really like going back to my marketing days and doing the grass roots marketing, handing out flyers or stickers, and flyering cars at events, making it as personal as I can.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of Mouth is the most effective strategy for growing my clientele. It’s great when people are out and about wearing MBM and have some promo materials with them. It goes back to more of my OG marketing roots and having a Street Team. One happy customer is sure to tell their friends and family about what made them happy, why, and where to get it! Please keep sending people my way!
Contact me if you would like some promo items to have on hand when you are out and about rockin’ MBM. I can also give you a personal referral code. Thank you in advance!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.metalbabemayhem.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalbabemayhem/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalBabeMayhem
- Other: https://bio.site/MetalBabeMayhem