Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Mendicelli.
Danielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My Grandfather was a musician and radio DJ for KFOG in the 1960s and 70’s in San Francisco. Height and Ashbury was a cultural hub during that era and my mom grew up listening to Grandpa playing all of his records in the house before his set aired live. I spent the most time with my grandparents as a child so inevitably, that tradition carried throughout my life. This is where I learned the sounds of Burt Bacharach, Isaac Hayes, Ennio Morricone and Dione Warwick. Back at home, my Mother would host house-parties and set up the music in the kitchen. I’ll never forget her playing Parliament Funk and Anita Baker on repeat until the wee hours of the morning.
By this time, it was the 90’s grunge-rock era and Nirvana was in heavy rotation. We moved to San Diego in my early teenage years. I was a y0ung creative in North Park, before the gentrification. We were street-kids, most of us from single parent households, that all had one thing in common: talent. I came up with musicians, graffiti artists, DJ’S and entrepreneurs but back then we were all desperately searching for productive ways to channel our energy. Since the majority of us didn’t have financial support, I learned at a very young age that I would have to hustle to get to where I was going. I got my first job on my 16th birthday and my only goal was to get out of our neighborhood. I achieved that goal by 18, and have been climbing ever since. I landed a job at Nordstrom during the day and by night, the W hotel, downtown. The Talent that I met during that time period was surreal. Through relationship building, I ended up as a stylist for some of them. I had my children shortly after this and put this creativity to the side for years.
As a young mom, I fell into the trap of Corporate America. I made a killing but knew deep down that my purpose was aligned in something different. During the Quarantine, I was reawakened. I would spin records for my children daily and we would watch the live DJ sets while dancing and laughing. I realized then that music had the power to heal and to unify. It provided us a sense of security and connection that no one had without it. As a single mother of two, with a full-time career in Psychiatry, I wasn’t sure how to make the dream of sharing this a reality but I was up for the challenge. I started networking with local business owners and creatives in the City and was humbled by the talent and knowledge shared. I bought Goldies Record Company at the first of the year and the evolution of my brand and the support that I have received from the community is since has been unbelievable.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all. Being a woman, and earning a seat at the table comes with so much. And once you’ve reserved your seat, a brand new set of challenges is presented. You are objectified, classified, and bet against. Smiling in the face of adversity remains the greatest struggle to date. Through this journey, I have realized that most struggles are not external and that they are internally rooted. I have found that the more work you do on yourself, the easier it becomes to understand and focus on your path. Inevitably, the external matters that aren’t aligned are eliminated. When you start a business you embark on a journey into the unknown and if you are not internally sound, you won’t make it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Goldies Record Company is a product of my passion for music, people and connection. Our events connect artists, musicians, creators and entrepreneurs. My goal is not only to share music and sell records. It is to create and be a part of a community and atmosphere that supports creativity and promotes peace. I also work Monday-Friday in Finance for a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center (Addiction Treatment). I am a single Mother of two so I am on a seven day grind. At my Finance job, I work under the CEO. This is where I learned how to start businesses and this is also where I became fluent in Business analytics and Operations. It is difficult to find Creatives with a strong sense of business. This is a quality that sets me apart from the rest.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Consistency and authenticity have been key to my personal and professional success. Staying true to my vision and path is not always easy but is paramount to my success. I live to connect and share my vision with my children and the community. This is a passion project and I hope to inspire and encourage everyone to dive into theirs.
Contact Info:
- Email: goldiesrecordstore@gmail.com
- Website: www.goldiesrecordcompany.com
- Instagram: goldiesrecordcompany
- Facebook: Goldies Record Co.
Suggest a Story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
