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!

Humble & Hustling Beginning

Gab was 19 when she first made lip balm in her mom’s kitchen. Using maps and phone books, she found health food stores around the US who were happy to try something new and Mad Gab’s was born! After oodles of miles on the road, and a stint in a Business Incubator, Mad Gab’s moved to Maine and was ready to grow.

Up, Up and Away

Maine Made Marketing program introduced Gab to QVC in 1997, who placed one order that way bigger than all of her orders the year before combined! After three stints on the show, Mad Gab’s launched Elephant Lube that went on to appear in Vogue, Elle and dozens of publications around the world. Mad Gab’s had lift off and found national distribution in retailers including: LL Bean, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Whole Foods Market and oodles of independents from coast to coast.

Grown Up and Still Growing

Today, Mad Gab’s products are beloved across the U.S. (and online), certified USDA organic and officially woman-owned! Gab spends more and more time on her Gabgirls/Incubating Innovators program founded to help teen entrepreneurs start businesses. Luckily there are plenty of tools beyond maps and phone books to help them get off the ground!