Melz Grillz’s Mother-Daughter Duo Is Shaking Up The Custom Grillz Game—One Celebrity Smile At A Time [Exclusive] - Page 2

Iconic Moments 

One of the most defining moments for the Melz Grillz brand came when the mother-daughter duo connected with none other than Coach Prime himself, Deion Sanders. The business began with a simple marketing idea: send a package to Coach Prime, whose son was starting to gain attention on YouTube. They included a handwritten note and a custom grill design.

To their surprise, Coach Prime called them personally. “We had a 30-minute-long conversation with him, which was insane,” Ariel recalls with excitement. “For me, as a sports lover, that was iconic. Nobody can top that. It was a moment we’ll never forget.”

That phone call was just the beginning. It opened doors to meeting new people, collaborating on new projects, and establishing Melz Grillz as a major player in the custom jewelry industry. The duo’s ability to leverage their networks and take initiative in the industry resulted in a series of exciting opportunities.

Another iconic moment for Melz Grillz came when Ariel checked their Instagram DMs and found a message from none other than celebrity stylist Law Roach. Initially, Dr. Melz, not being very familiar with social media, missed the gravity of the message. “Who the hell is Law Roach?” she recalls thinking, but Ariel quickly jumped in to handle the situation. Ariel laughs, “I cussed my mom out for touching the DMs, but it worked out. He came to us, and that was another milestone for us.”

These moments helped Melz Grillz gain recognition as a serious business, backed by talent, creativity, and cultural knowledge. “It’s all about respect,” Dr. Melz says, reflecting on their journey. “We’re showing that women, Black women specifically, belong in this space and we’re doing it with excellence.”

Overcoming Obstacles 

While the journey of Melz Grillz has been marked by milestones and accolades, it hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the biggest surprises for both Dr. Melz and Ariel was the lack of support they received from some Black celebrities. Ariel recalls, “There have been so many instances where Black celebrities wanted to get a grill, but expected it for free. That’s not support. That’s exploitation,” noting the $10,000 price tag on their products.

Dr. Melz also shares a particularly jarring encounter with a celebrity client who disrespected her expertise. “I’m standing there with my white coat that clearly says ‘doctor’ on it, and they still had the audacity to question [my credentials]. It was a moment that made me feel the weight of disrespect.”

In an industry where Black women are often undervalued, these moments of disregard were disheartening. However, they didn’t allow it to deter them. Instead, the duo used these experiences as fuel to push even harder. “It’s always been about proving ourselves, but now, we’re on top. We’re going to finish what we started, and we’re not going anywhere,” Dr. Melz asserts.

The lack of recognition and support, especially from Black celebrities, is something Ariel is particularly passionate about. “It’s disappointing,” she admits. “We have the credentials, we have the experience, and yet we still have to fight harder than others to gain respect.”

Despite these hurdles, the duo remains resilient, with a shared vision of breaking down doors for future generations of Black women in business. “If we can do it, anyone can do it,” Ariel says with determination. “We’re showing Black women that we deserve a seat at the table.”