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
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Gab making lip balm at her mom's kitchen table in 1991! |
The first Mad Gab's display | ![]() |
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Getting discovered by QVC in 1997 |
Featured in Business Week in 1999 | ![]() |
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Celebrating 20 years partnering with L.L. Bean in 2006 |
Mad Gab's rebrand in 2015 | ![]() |
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The GabGirls programs, mentoring and empowering young female entrepreneurs officially begins in 2017. |
Gab at HQ in Yarmouth, Maine in 2020 | ![]() |