Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melli Montana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melli , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a business owner brings me happiness because there’s no limit to how much I can earn. However, it also comes with a lot of stress. In a job, you get paid for the hours you work, but as a business owner, you might put in thousands of hours and only see financial returns for a small portion of that effort. That’s why I recommend entrepreneurs build businesses around their passions. Passion will keep you going through the unpaid days and long nights. If money is your only motivation, you’ll burn out and give up faster than someone who is driven by the fulfillment of building something meaningful. I recently thought about getting a job because sometimes I feel like spreading positivity and sharing joy with everyday people. So many workers seem lost and unhappy, and I’d love to be that coworker who uplifts and motivates both employees and customers. But then I remind myself that working a job doesn’t align with who I am. It would limit my potential and the impact I can make. Even my close friends say, “Melli, don’t get a job,” because once people get to know me, they see I’m just not built for a 9-5. Thank God 🙏

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I was a baby, music has always moved me. By the time I could speak, I was singing instead of talking. At 7, I spent hours rapping and singing my favorite songs just for fun, never thinking it could become a business. By 15, I was in studios with big-name artists and engineers and realized this was my place. I started saving money from birthdays and holidays to build my own studio in my bedroom and studied every day to master engineering.

Once I had a decent setup and could produce quality work, I knew I could make money with it. In 2019, when Covid hit and jobs were scarce, a friend recommended me for studio time. I charged $20 an hour, and that’s when my grind started. That first step was key to building on my musical expertise.

Music has always been my way of expressing what’s inside me, and now I help others do the same. My clients go through real transformations. I’ve seen my studio bring joy to people who’ve been through tough times—it’s more than just music. It’s a place of healing, where even the saddest people find happiness.

While I could talk about my skills all day, what excites me more is the impact I have on people. I’ve always wanted to inspire and empower others, and that’s what I aim for in my business. I’m not your typical audio engineer. I break barriers and bring new life to dull ideas, helping artists break free from their creative blocks. Working with me is more than making music—it’s about growth, both artistically and personally.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I made a risky business move and relocated my studio to Brickell, Miami, with two close friends. We had big dreams and quickly started making a name for ourselves, working with big artists and living the Miami lifestyle. But I trusted the wrong people, and it all came crashing down. I lost everything—my studio, my equipment, and was $25k in debt. I felt like my life was over.

In desperation, I turned to God, praying for a way out as the pressure mounted. With no money coming in, time was running out. I took bold financial risks to rebuild my studio from the ground up, better than before. Now, when you step into my space, you see more than a studio—you feel the pain and triumph in every corner. No one thought I’d recover, but I did.

It felt like something out of a movie, my darkest hour where failure seemed inevitable. But instead of falling, I rose above the odds. Looking back, it’s like replaying a beautiful film, where the hero wins, no matter how bleak the story seemed.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’ve always had an aggressive character, and I channeled that intensity directly into my business. I approached everything with focus and drive, and soon my personal reputation became my brand’s identity. People recognized me not just for my musical expertise, but for my unwavering self-belief, confidence, discipline, and consistency. I earned respect because I was never one to play games—I was serious about my craft, my vision, and my integrity.

I built my reputation by being relentless. When I set my mind on becoming the best, I didn’t just aim for it—I made it my reality. I didn’t wait for opportunities; I created them. My brand is a reflection of that no-nonsense mindset, and it’s why clients trust me to deliver every time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixedbymelli/profilecard/?igsh=dzh4azI2NGVvZHVn
• Other: TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@morethanmusicstudios?_t=8qXwFposWS7&_r=1

Image Credits

N/A