The Full Story — Never Before Published
The Full Story
Melayshia Neal · Founder, Money Is Da Drug LLC · EST. 2016
MIDD is currently known for its clothing brand Money Is Da Drug — using graphic illustration and clothing as a gateway to enlighten people, especially urban culture, on the influence money has on their mental state of mind. MIDD's vision is to create opportunities to both educate and empower financial stability and self-sufficiency through FED — the Financial Empowered Direction.
My role as founder is to promote awareness on the influence money has on the Black community and the culture. I help educate and inspire the Black culture in believing we can gain control of our finances by sharing my own experience — not just trial and error, but accountability with money.
My upbringing was the introduction to how I viewed money. My parents were able to provide me with everything that I NEEDED, but there were times I was told no to the things I WANTED. Money played a factor in that. I also saw how some of my family members grew up poor. Being exposed to their lifestyle and financial hardships, I understood that money would determine how I ate, how I lived, how I dressed, how I got around, what I could and couldn't have. I knew I didn't want to be poor or broke. So my resolution was simple: make sure I was getting money.
I remember my mom stressing me about applying for scholarships back in high school. I was a straight-A student. I thought because I was smart, they were just going to give me scholarships. So I didn't take it seriously. Little $300 checks — I thought I was doing something — but it wasn't nothing compared to the $12,000 tuition my mom already knew we couldn't afford.
Eventually I made the decision that being a broke college student wasn't for me. It had me both stressed out and depressed. So I dropped out, chose to get some money instead. And to be real, being that young — all I knew was to get money and spend it. And that's exactly what I did.
"These are conversations I never had as a young adult. So when I'm talking to the younger crowd it's like I'm talking to the younger me. This was the part of life I wasn't taught — so why not put them on game?"
I ask students off top: do you plan on going to college or not? Why waste money or risk putting yourself in debt for something you're not really interested in? If you are going, make every dollar count. Apply for scholarships — the idea is to go to college using other people's money, and we're not talking about loans or your parents.
If you're not going to college, what's next? Have you built up any credit? Do you know the risks in co-signing? Do you have money for first month's rent and deposit? It's not just about putting gas in your car — you've gotta add insurance and maintenance. But you know you can just catch a bus and save on gas, right? I have a truck right now that costs $85 to fill. Through my job I can ride the bus for free — and yes, even though I have a truck, I still catch the bus to save on gas.
The earliest memory I had being involved in MIDD was telling myself — this ain't like selling weed. It was way more of a challenge. I had to put in more effort to sell this kind of dope.
Most people buy clothes because they like what they see or the name. Off tops, Money Is Da Drug was all that to me. Hella dope. But it wasn't selling like that. People were misconstrued by its name and image. I received a lot of pushback. People suggested I change the name. They heard "drug" and thought drug money. They saw the all-seeing eye and thought illuminati.
That reminded me of a book I read that same year — Daymond John's "The Power of Broke." He took "broke" and turned it into something powerful. It triggered me on how to explain the brand better.
"A drug can be anything that has influence on the mental state of mind. Have you ever had impulse buying? What does your credit score look like? Do you remember how it feels to live paycheck to paycheck? Money Is Da Drug — does it make more sense now?"
At first it was discouraging. But for those who were willing to listen and were open-minded, it sparked good conversations revolving around money. I had to learn to accept that MIDD was raw — and that it wasn't meant for conservatives or the simple-minded.
Initially my mentality set me on this path. Having money gave me a high of its own. I would be on my grind 24/7 — no sleep — whether it was a 9-to-5, under the table money, or directing traffic. Getting money was a guarantee for me. Bills paid. Family straight. I can buy whatever I want.
But I also remember the dark side of it. Being taken advantage of just because I had it. And when I didn't have money, it was like I was having withdrawals. I'd suffer depression from being broke.
"That's where Money Is Da Drug came from. It was a statement that emphasized how the impact money had on me."
I'll be real — I didn't have the mindset of an entrepreneur when I first decided Money Is Da Drug would be a T-shirt brand. All that changed after getting a job at the bank. How ironic, right? My credit score was 540 and has been as high as 824. I corrected my state of mind and became financially secure. I called it becoming a financially functioning addict.
At that moment the path for MIDD changed. I wanted to add more value. So I came up with FED — the Financial Empowered Direction. I wanted my story to be told to help not only bring awareness but to educate and inspire the culture enough to want to do better managing their finances.
S/O to my mentor Raheem Sanders of PPRP Innovations. From the idea to the business, he always saw the potential in not only me but MIDD as well.
My passion stems from how I deliver my story both verbally and artistically. Nobody can tell it the way I can. Major shoutout to my graphic designer Cordell Brooks aka Kasch Ali — it's like Pinky and the Brain. I have the ideas and concepts, and he executes the visuals.
"MIDD is hip hop. It fits the culture."— Tommy Brooks, Amplified
I love how hands-on my family is when it comes to supporting me as an entrepreneur. From counting and folding inventory, to being willing to model, setting up booths at events — my family has shown me that if nobody else does, they are willing to put the footwork behind MIDD 100%. In the event of my demise, I trust that they will be able to keep MIDD thriving. That's how involved they are.
Being from the birthplace of Malcolm X and attending events where I can meet other entrepreneurs, I was influenced to come up with The Black Dollars Collection. The motto is "Black Dollars Exchange Black Gifts." You're not just purchasing from a Black owner — you're investing in their business, and their business represents our community.
"When you spend your dollar out of the community in which you live, the community in which you spend your money becomes richer and richer; the community out of which you take your money becomes poorer and poorer."— Malcolm X
To take care of myself is to love myself. It took a lot of understanding and accepting me for who I am to get here. I come off as an extrovert to many people, but I am an introvert at heart. Being able to balance that and set boundaries helps protect my peace of mind.
And SLEEP. I remember I used to yell out "I got 6 jobs I don't get tired." I DEFINITELY GET TIRED. Having adequate sleep is vital. I used to go days without sleep just because I was making money. NAP AND BEDTIME, PLEASE.
A friend told me the importance of obtaining intellectual property for my designs. In 2020 I had two businesses infringe on my work — MIDDUSA and the Nipsey 60. Even though they were protected, it still didn't feel like it was enough.
"As of now, MIDD is a registered trademark of Money Is Da Drug LLC. Put some respect on my business. It's due to be a household name."
ASK QUESTIONS.
Be honest — not just with yourself but with those who are willing to support you. And learn to keep it professional while you do it. You can miss out on resources and customers all because you chose not to keep it 100. Customer service goes a long way. And there is ALWAYS somebody watching.
Three Fun Facts About Lay Lay
- My middle name is Clyshae (pronounced like cliché)
- I enjoy watching Asian martial arts movies and series — original language with English subtitles
- My favorite 2Pac lyric explains my purpose in life: "2Pac cares if don't nobody else care."
Connect with MIDD®
"Gotta pay for this dope but the game I'll give for free."
MIDD® educates and elevates through finance and fashion — a federally registered trademark with a registered SAM.gov entity (UEI: RDDKDCLNM9U8), two digital education products (the FED Packet and FEDY Workbook), and an active San Diego vending presence. Since this feature, the brand has grown from a vision into a movement. MIDD® is currently developing Financial Elevation Workshops for high school students, community organizations, and institutions — bringing the same real game that built this brand directly into the spaces that need it most. The vision Lay Lay described in this interview is becoming a reality.