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The Mad Gab's Story

Mad Gab’s was founded in 1991 by Gabrielle Melchionda, when she stumbled upon a lip balm recipe while studying anthropology. Gab perfected the formula creating a natural lip balm that was neither greasy nor waxy and she gifted it to friends and family, who convinced her to sell her wares. Mad Gab's was born!

Originally, Gab sold lip balm out of her car to Natural Food stores, when she was discovered by QVC. Mad Gab's products soon landed on the pages of Vogue, Elle and countless national publications. Mad Gab's products eventually found wide success in souvenir, gift, tourist and resort industries.

 

Follow Gab's Journey

 
 Gab making her natural lip balm in her mom's kitchen in 1991 Gab making lip balm at her mom's kitchen table in 1991!
The first Mad Gab's display A wooden display with 5 lip balm tins sitting on top and 5 opened and shown off in front of the display. Mad Gab's is written on the display.
Mad Gab's founder, Gabrielle Melchionda, standing in front on the QVC studio park sign. Getting discovered by QVC in 1997
Featured in Business Week in 1999 A scan of a Business Week magazine page featuring an article discussing Mad Gab's products with a photo of Gab laying on the floor with lip and body balm tins surrounding her.
An image of three lip balm tubes - Sweet Mint, Blueberry and Citrus made for Maine staple L.L. Bean Celebrating 20 years partnering with L.L. Bean in 2006
Mad Gab's rebrand in 2015 On the left there is a "before" image of Mad Gab's lip tins, on the right there is an "after" image of Mad Gab's lip tins depicting a rebrand
The GabGirls program, mentoring and empowering young female entrepreneurs, officially begins in 2017. The GabGirls programs, mentoring and empowering young female entrepreneurs officially begins in 2017. 
Gab at HQ in Yarmouth, Maine in 2020 Mad Gab's owner, Gabrielle Melchionda, is standing in front of the Mad Gab's World Headquarters sign in Yarmouth, Maine