Brianna Shelko shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brianna, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing impact—the kind that’s felt, not just heard. I’m building a music company that doesn’t just make great sound, but moves people, builds brands, tells stories, and leaves a mark. I’m chasing the kind of creative legacy that opens doors for others, especially women and underrepresented voices in music and media.
If I stopped? The work would pause, but the calling wouldn’t. I’d still feel that fire to create, to connect, to push boundaries through sound. Stopping would mean silencing a part of myself that’s wired to build, to take risks, and to leave things better than I found them. So I keep chasing—not because I have to, but because I get to. And because I know what I’m building matters in the music industry.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m the founder of Level Up Music Productions, a women-owned sonic branding and custom music company based in Atlanta. We create original music and sound identities for brands, film trailers, podcasts, and more—anything that needs to sound as powerful as it looks. We’re hands-on, heart-first, and unapologetically scrappy. I sold my house, lived in an RV, and went all-in to build something that makes a real impact through music.
We also run a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Level Up Songwriting Camps Corp, where we give talented songwriters the opportunity to write for TV and film—not because they have money or connections, but because their talent deserves to be in the room. We believe access should be earned by excellence, not gatekeeping.
Our mission is about more than music—it’s about equity, creativity, and amplifying voices that need to be heard.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that I had to constantly please others for them to stick around—that love, friendship, and acceptance were things I had to earn by being agreeable, helpful, or low-maintenance. I thought if I set boundaries or asked for what I needed, I’d be too much or drive people away.
Now, I know better. I’ve learned that the right people don’t require you to shrink yourself. I’ve learned to set boundaries—not out of spite, but out of self-respect and a deep understanding that my health, time, and energy matter. Protecting my peace allows me to show up fully, both personally and professionally. I no longer confuse people-pleasing with connection—and that shift has been freeing.
Ask ChatGPT
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely—there was a moment last September when I seriously questioned if I could keep going. For the first time, I had –$263 in my account. I remember staring at that number and feeling like I had failed—like maybe the risk I took, the sacrifices, the grind… maybe it wasn’t going to work out after all.
But literally days later, I got a phone call that changed everything. A seed I had planted eight months earlier—a pitch I had nearly forgotten about—came through, and I was getting paid $10,000 the following week. That moment reminded me that growth doesn’t always show up right away. Sometimes, the payoff is just under the surface, waiting for the right moment to break through.
I learned that perseverance isn’t about always feeling confident—it’s about moving forward even when you don’t.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the music industry tells itself is that you have to conform to someone you’re not—and sometimes even compromise your values—to get ahead. There’s pressure to play a character, to market yourself in ways that feel fake, or to promote things you don’t believe in just to stay visible. I’ve felt that pressure firsthand. But I’ve learned that staying true to who you are builds something more sustainable—and more powerful—than chasing quick wins through inauthenticity.
Another lie is that you have to burn out to “make it.” The industry often glamorizes exhaustion, as if working yourself into the ground is proof of your commitment. But you can be passionate and still protect your health. Hustle is only worth it if you’re still standing to enjoy the outcome.
And finally, the industry often pretends that there’s only room for a select few—especially if you’re a woman, independent, or don’t fit the mainstream mold. But the truth is, the most impactful voices are often the ones that weren’t expected. We’re living proof that you don’t have to wait for permission to build something great.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I’d stop shrinking myself—physically, emotionally, or creatively—to fit into boxes that were never built for me in the first place. I’d stop pouring energy into things that don’t light me up, and stop trying to prove my worth through hustle alone.
I’d also stop letting outdated ideas about beauty or “acceptable bodies” take up space in my mind. As a plus-size woman, I’d wear the damn bikini at the beach, take the photos, get in the water, and live out loud without second-guessing if I “belong” in the scene. Because if time is short, I’m not spending it hiding. I’m spending it living—fully, boldly, and unapologetically.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.levelupmusicproductions.com
- Instagram: @levelupmusicproductions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannaleveledup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.shelko
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BRIANNASHELKO
