Melissa Croland-Brandt, originally from Peoria, Illinois, grew up in a blended family, filling her with love and a desire to succeed. Melissa thought often about how she could apply her experience as a parent, and a business and marketing professional, to developing new and better ways for parents to relate to and connect with their children.
The idea for Lil’ Jammerz™, Bluetooth musical infant plush toys, emerged after the birth of her daughter. While Melissa took walks with her daughter, she would stream music through her smartphone and rest it in the stroller, next to her baby. When she learned of the possible health risks associated with SAR radio frequency emissions from mobile phones, Melissa immediately ceased this ritual and started looking for safer alternatives. And when she didn’t find what she was looking for, she started to develop what is now Lil’ Jammerz™.
Two and a half years later, after dividing her time between loving wife and mom, freelance event planning, and market testing Lil’ Jammerz™, Melissa made the decision to pursue the business full-time.
Melissa has a BA in Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with an emphasis in marketing and business. Upon graduating, she worked in Chicago in the music industry as assistant manager to multiplatinum recording artist, Kid Rock. This high profile job lead her to Los Angeles; where she found a new career focus in public relations and marketing in the beauty industry, focusing on television and film.
After over 15 years in LA, she migrated to Northern California where she met her husband Marin; living “happily ever after” in Santa Cruz, California with extended visits to Delray Beach, Florida.