Meet Brianna Shelko | FOUNDER/CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brianna Shelko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brianna, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has been the fuel behind every meaningful step I’ve taken in my career. When I started Level Up Music Productions out of Atlanta 3.5 years ago, I knew I wasn’t just launching a business—I was reshaping my entire life. I sold my house and chose to live in an RV for nearly four years, on and off. Why? Because I understood that building a custom music and sonic branding company from the ground up would require capital, mobility, and most of all—courage.

It wasn’t easy. Balancing time with my family, staying consistent with exercise, and managing my own self-care often took a backseat. But I believed in the mission and the long-term vision. Risk, to me, is not reckless—it’s calculated faith. It’s betting on yourself when no one else can see the blueprint.

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade a second of it. The growth we’ve experienced—professionally and personally—has been tremendous. And I’ve learned that without real risk, there’s rarely real reward. Risk has been a constant companion in this journey, and I credit it for much of the success we’ve seen.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This women-owned sonic branding and custom music company born out of hustle, heart, and a whole lot of grit. We’re not a faceless production house—myself and team are creators who are deep in the trenches with our clients, building sound that tells real stories and creates lasting emotional impact. Whether it’s crafting a brand’s audio identity or scoring a film trailer, we bring energy, originality, and hands-on collaboration to everything we touch.

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter sound. Every brand, every campaign, every project deserves music that actually feels like it was made for it—because it was. We’re obsessed with finding the emotional core of a brand and amplifying it through sound. We blend strategic thinking with raw creativity, and that combo has helped us stand out in a saturated industry.

The journey? Definitely not easy. I’m scrappy and bootstrapped this company from the ground up. I sold my house, lived in an RV, and invested everything into making this dream real. There were moments of burnout, and imposter syndrome. Balancing life, business, and the pressure to succeed as a woman in music—where we’re still the minority—was a huge challenge. But kept pushing.

The biggest lesson? Start before you’re ready, and stay scrappy. Stay bold. Perfection doesn’t build momentum—action does. We learned to embrace the messy parts of growth, to lean into community, and to always show up with integrity and bold ideas. Learn from the mistakes and forgive yourself as you go.

What we want the world to know is: We’re not just making music—we’re creating identity, feeling, and legacy through sound. Level Up is proof that with risk, passion, and relentless hustle, you can build something powerful—even without a massive team or industry shortcuts. We’re just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit Atlanta for a week, I’d show them the city through the lens of creativity, flavor, and culture. We’d kick things off with brunch at Ria’s Bluebird, walk through the historic Oakland Cemetery, and catch live music at The Eastern or Terminal West. We’d bike the BeltLine, take in street art, grab lunch at Ponce City Market, and sip rooftop drinks at 9 Mile Station. One day would be all about the West End—checking out Gallery 992, the Hammonds House, and craft brews at Best End Brewing.

We’d hunt vinyl at Criminal Records and DBS Sounds, hit up Slutty Vegan, and end the night vibing at Apache XLR. Of course, we’d visit Atlanta’s icons like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the MLK Historic Site, and Sweet Auburn, then roll through Edgewood Ave after dinner at Mary Mac’s. We’d recharge outdoors at Arabia Mountain or Sweetwater Creek.

But we wouldn’t stop at the city—we’d take a couple days to explore Georgia’s countryside. I’d take them to places like Euharlee, Jasper, and Ellijay for lazy river floats, wine tastings, gem mining, and those small-town surprises you only find off the beaten path. We’d wrap the week with a studio visit and a final night of great food at Staplehouse, plus drinks at SkyLounge with that unbeatable skyline view. It’d be the perfect mix of ATL hustle and Georgia heart.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely—there’s no way I could have built Level Up Music Productions without the support and influence of some key people and moments in my life. First and foremost, I have to give gratitude to Jesus. He has not let me fall — I’ve stumbled, but He’s picked me up each time and lined things up the way they should go. Next, shout out to my incredible husband & family. Uprooting our lives to chase this dream—selling our home, living in an RV, dealing with the chaos of entrepreneurship—was a huge sacrifice, and they stood by me through it all. That level of patience, flexibility, and belief in me made all the difference.

Next, I have to recognize the mentors and fellow creatives who poured into me—those who shared honest feedback, opened doors, and reminded me that sonic branding and producing custom music isn’t just about music, it’s about storytelling, impact and circle.

One book that helped shift my mindset was The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It pushed me to keep showing up and doing the work even when doubt tried to creep in.

Lastly, shoutout to the early clients, music supervisors and collaborators who took a chance on me and this vision before it had a name or a polished pitch. You helped build the foundation of something real—and I don’t take that for granted.

This journey has been anything but solo, and I’m grateful every day for the people who helped shape it.

Website: https://www.levelupmusicproductions.com

Instagram: @levelupmusicproductions

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannaleveledup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.shelko

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD6VlHngUPhjCwZGweNgV6w