Today we’d like to introduce you to Jauvon Gilliam.
Jauvon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Greater College Park area is a wonderful place to work, and it’s been the perfect home base for everything I’ve built. The energy here, the mix of innovation and artistry, and the diverse community around the university make it an inspiring place to plant roots and grow. As a musician who came up through community programs and conservatory training, and now serves as the principal timpanist of the National Symphony, I’ve always believed in creating spaces where artists can do their best work. When I first started out, I saw how often musicians struggled to find reliable rehearsal space and high-quality equipment. I wanted to change that – not just for professionals, but for students, emerging artists, and everyone in between.
With some planning and creative thinking, The Shed DMV was born: a place designed for collaboration, creativity, and access. What started as a simple idea to support local artists grew into something larger – a community hub where people from all backgrounds could rehearse, experiment, and connect.
That foundation ultimately led to the creation of The Marcel Group, which now encompasses The Shed DMV, Capitol Percussion + Backline Rentals, and our broader event management and production work. But at its core, the story is the same: build spaces and services that support people, elevate their craft, and make the creative ecosystem stronger.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve moved too fast at times, made mistakes, hired the wrong people, and had to rebuild parts of the business from the ground up. There were moments of uncertainty, financial pressure, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way. But I’ve come to see that the struggle is part of the work. Every challenge pushed me to grow as a leader – sharpening my instincts, strengthening my resilience, and forcing me to evolve. The difficult moments ended up being the most transformative, and they’re a big part of why the foundation is as strong as it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to owning The Marcel Group (the parent company of The Shed), I’m also the principal timpanist of the National Symphony. I started this business simply to provide high-quality equipment for the artists coming through the DMV, and it’s grown – organically and quickly – into a full-service event management firm supporting corporate, government, and non-profit clients nationwide.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. It’s the foundation of everything we do: reliability, honesty, problem-solving, and a real commitment to taking care of people. I’m fortunate to have a team that not only shares those values but lives them every day. They know how to get things done, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to show up for each other and for our clients.
That culture is also what allows us to pivot – fast and confidently. When clients ask us to take on something new, we have the trust, communication, and teamwork to adjust, innovate, and execute at a high level. That combination of people, culture, and adaptability is what sets us apart and has carried us from a small rental company to a national, end-to-end solutions firm.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For me, mentorship has always come from genuine relationships, not forced networking. I try to show up curious, helpful, and consistent, and over time the right people naturally lean in. My advice is to focus less on “finding a mentor” and more on building real connections – listen well, follow up, and show that you value people’s time. The folks who become mentors usually reveal themselves through shared values and mutual respect.
Contact Info:
- Website: TheShedDMV.com, marcelgroupllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshedDMV/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheShedDMV/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesheddmv
