The Melanins Talk Business
Could you introduce yourselves gives me a full description of your company and what you offer to IMVU users?
AshleeMelanin: I am Ashlee Melanin and I have a cosmetic surgery clinic named LA Plastic. LonMelanin: I'm Alonnie Melanin. Our company is Melanin Incorporated. We provide a variety of services from our businesses with a real-life experience. From Maternity Services at Bundle of Joy Maternity Clinic & Pediatric Center - Melanin Productions where we try our best to make all our (and others) visions come alive and on to the screen.
When was your company founded?
LonMelanin: Our company was founded in 2016.
What you gave you the inspiration to start each service?
LonMelanin: Well, what gave me inspiration with Melanin Productions was our imagination. Lol, Ashlee and I have pretty big ideas when it comes to things we like to do. When we first started making videos, those ideas slowly became bigger with a bigger audience and I just loved the idea of making something come alive virtually as well as just seeing a different type of story play out each time. With Melanites University, I love the idea of going to school and just having that community feeling here on IMVU because a lot of people come here to escape and I want to be able to give some people that college feeling and sense of friendship here as well. AshleeMelanin: My inspiration came from my RL. I work in the medical field, plus I have a God-given love for children and pregnant women. The choice was a no-brainer for me.
When is that active how can one sign up?
LonMelanin: We will be starting enrollment towards the end of this month and they'll just sign up for the course of their liking. AshleeMelanin: We are offering a variety of courses including Videography, Cosmetology, Medical, and Dance.
So, about this university, if a person signs up does it help secure them a position in your company or is it for RP purposes only?
AshleeMelanin: There is an opportunity for a position, but mainly it is for RP purposes. We want those people to focus on preparing themselves to establish their own companies in the courses they take on. We are trying to build more positive leaders in the IMVU community. LonMelanin: Yes and helping people discover the RP side of IMVU without being super basic. Is there a fee or are those details still being prepared? LonMelanin: There will be a small fee for the courses, but it varies on the Professor and how many students are enrolled in that program. AshleeMelanin: Yes, that fee is still being discussed.
Can you tell me what your media company offers?
LonMelanin: I offer just my videography services. So I'll take creative control at times and help assist the client with the idea that they have in mind for their video. Sometimes, it's a commercial they'd like to do for their grand opening or a fashion show they'd like a recap of. Personal uses of Melanin Productions are usually my ideas for my cast from my movie/series Aligned. I take the time to kind of think of challenging things for my cast to spread on Instagram and/or Youtube and get the word out there about the movie and the series.
Can you tell me about your pediatric services?
AshleeMelanin: We provide check-ups and different packages depending on how you age your children and, of course, how many.
Are both available now or are they in limbo?
LonMelanin: Both are available for clients. AshleeMelanin: Yes, both pediatric and maternity services are available. We recently opened the Peds department and have taken on a couple of families.
What is the story behind your name, The Melanins?
[AshleeMelanin smiles] AshleeMelanin: Well, first and foremost we are very proud of our race. There was a "phase" of the word Melanin and we thought it would be a good way to draw attention to our families positive vibes. Plus, as you can see we are Melanated.
How did you guys start your businesses? Did you research or just start it with the sink-or-swim tactic?
LonMelanin: We usually try to research for our businesses first and then kind of plan it out our own way. What is your goal for owning and operating such businesses and a university on IMVU? AshleeMelanin: To have fun and show people that there are more things to do on IMVU than strip, create or be an IMVU celebrity.
Will there be a course for beginners in creating?
LonMelanin: Creating may possibly be a course in the future, but I'm no pro and most creators I know of don't really partake in trying to RP. AshleeMelanin: My thoughts exactly.
What information can you give to those seeking employment as a professor or any other position?
LonMelanin: There will be an application open for Campus Jobs and we'll have a group interview to see what all we can do to help you or what you can do to help us.
Are there any events coming up we can look forward to besides the opening of your school?
LonMelanin: Yesss, Aligned New York Viewing for our first episode. AshleeMelanin: I will be hosting an IMVU Doctors’ Seminar in a month or so. Just putting the last touches on everything.
What advice would you give other black-owned businesses on imvu?
LonMelanin: Just try to stick to what you know. Don't try to give advice on something you have no idea about or don't understand yourself. Be true to yourself and people will always support your idea. AshleeMelanin: Do NOT give up no matter how little clientele you have at first. Also, you should follow your heart. No one knows your goals better than yourself. So take the time out to research the kind of business you are going into. Know your competitors but don’t let their success discourage you from doing you.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
AshleeMelanin: That we appreciate all of the business we have gotten for the past 2 years, thank you for being loyal, we thrive on your success and WATCH OUR VIDEOS! Hehe.
Find them on IG! @themelanins.vu, @lon.melanin and @melanin.productionsvu
Disclaimer: the personal views and opinions written in this post are from the writer and do not always express the professional opinion and views of Verve X Magazine.
Interviewer: Tamekah
Copy Editor: NabilaHomage
Photographer: Kongan
