Daily Inspiration: Meet Milly Vanderwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Milly Vanderwood.

Hi Milly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From rapper to aspiring mogul, my story starts out in Baltimore, MD.. I was born on the 17th day of December, and I prefer being behind the scenes more than in the spotlight. I grew up “idolizing” folks like Sean Combs, Dame Dash, Master P, Jay Z, Kevin Liles, Russell Simmons and many others. I always wanted to follow in the footsteps of people like that. There was a time when I wanted to be a wrestler.. but at the age of 12, I began rapping… created a group called ‘The GoodFellaz’ with 2 friends from the neighborhood I lived in and we started handing out mixtapes at school. Our group lasted a couple years & then we all went on to do separate things.

Fast forward, I created a brand called ‘YHGM’ with a close friend. We wanted this brand (which was music based) to be like a young Roc-A-Fella or Death Row etc. • We had many rappers and singers under us.. collaborating and releasing mixtapes here n there but a lot of them were missing the work ethic, motivation and financial support to take things to the next level. During its 10 years of existence “The YHGM Brand” had a great run… hosting cookouts for the community, throwing pool parties and even meeting with some major labels in NYC but I was drained and tired of feeling like the only one working hard enough to achieve certain things, I felt like I was wasting my time with artists who were negative and unmotivated from a business standpoint but I still consider most of the YHGM team to be like family.

The year was 2014, I had decided to stop “rapping” and making music altogether to step behind the scenes and manage talent + build brands and in just a short period of time, I was able to turn a lot of “nothings” into “something’s” by getting some of my local acts to open for major artists, jump-starting brands from clothing to cupcakes and opening my own art gallery ‘Sell Art Not Drugs’ now known as ‘The Gallery About Nothing’ in my hometown of Baltimore.. and then kicked off 2018 with the grand introduction of the worlds first mini hip hop museum; “In My Lifetime” with plans to open locations in other cities, and we are currently focused on hosting events in Atlanta + Florida!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being a creative-entrepreneur has many ups and downs! I quit my job at Mercedes Benz in 2016 to run my gallery & host events full time, I’ve slept in a car, on chairs and floors many nights in order to keep the dream alive! Wouldn’t change it for the world!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a talent manager, brand builder and gallery owner! I help artists with marketing and promo to sell their artwork + other ways to make money..

I’ve helped recording artists with starting their music careers, etc.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Just hit me up! I’m always willing to work and create opportunities if it makes sense! Call or text me @ 410 504 9249 or send an e-mail at [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.instagram.com/minihiphopmuseum/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milly.brendanawicz/