Today we’d like to introduce you to Milly Vanderwood. They and their team shared their story with us below:
From rapper to aspiring mogul, Milly (the man with many last names) Vanderwood, born ‘Mark S. Clarke Jr. in Baltimore, MD, on the 17th day of December, likes being behind the scenes more than in the spotlight. He idolized Sean Combs, Dame Dash, Master P, Jay Z, Kevin Liles, Russell Simmons, and many others. He always wanted to follow in the footsteps of people like that. There was a time when he wanted to be a wrestler, but at the age of 12, he began rapping and created a group called ‘The GoodFellaz’ with 2 friends from the neighborhood he lived in, and they started handing out mixtapes at school. Their group lasted a couple of years & then they all went on to do separate things.
Milly quickly created a brand called ‘YHGM’ with a close friend. They wanted this brand (which was music-based) to be like a young Roc-A-Fella or Death Row, etc. They had many rappers and singers under them collaborating and releasing mixtapes here and there. Still, many needed more work ethic, motivation, and financial support to take things to the next level. During its 10 years, “The YHGM Brand” had a great run hosting cookouts for the community, throwing pool parties, and even meeting with some major labels in NYC. Still, Milly was drained and tired of feeling like the only one working hard enough to achieve certain things; he felt like he was wasting his time with artists who were hostile and unmotivated from a business standpoint but still considered most of the YHGM team to be his family.
The year was 2014; Milly 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, Milly has been able to turn a lot of “nothing” into “something’s” by getting some of his local acts to open for major artists, jump-starting brands from clothing to cupcakes and opening his art gallery ‘Sell Art Not Drugs’ now known as ‘The Gallery About Nothing’ in his hometown of Baltimore and then kicked off 2018 with the grand introduction of the worlds first mini hip hop museum; “In My Lifetime!” What could he possibly do next? Well, it’s now 2024 & Milly has opened an additional space within the same building; this brand is called ‘Such A Vibe Museum!’
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not! There have been many ups and downs while being a full-time entrepreneur running physical creative spaces in Baltimore, MD! Sometimes, the business could be faster; bills are late; social media algorithms are messing up promo and marketing efforts, etc.; it’s always something, but you must keep pushing!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a full-time creative entrepreneur, talent manager, and art gallery owner. We host 4-5 events weekly within my creative space; I provide opportunities for creatives to be seen and make money from their talents!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Honesty and excellent customer service!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theincrediblecreation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegalleryaboutnothing
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TGAN_Baltimore
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theincrediblecreation3378
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/itmightnotwork
