Meet Brianna Griffin | Business Owner, Baker, and Artist

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

Hi Brianna, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe the most important factor behind my success, and the success of my brand, is a combination of authenticity, genuine connection, passion, adaptability, and commitment. I built my brand on something bigger than myself. It represents more than just me, and I carry that with intention every single day. I show up with the goal to represent it with care, honesty, respect, and love. That deep meaning is even embedded in the name of my business: The Mar’Lo Shop. “Mar’Lo” is a blend of two middle names, Marie and Louise, that have been passed down through generations in my family. One of those names I’m honored to carry myself. This name, and everything it represents, connects me to something greater: my family, my ancestors, and the legacy they’ve left behind. I feel like I’m representing not just a business, but a name tied to thousands of stories and people I love. That connection motivates me to pour everything I have into helping my business grow and succeed. I want to use it to create meaningful bonds with others, through conversation, through what I create, and through every interaction. Even though we’re still a small business, I have big dreams for The Mar’Lo Shop, and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to bring them to life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is a pop-up café and shop where I sell a mix of handmade treats, baked goods, and creative items like crocheted crafts, jewelry, and more. I think what sets my business apart is the heart behind it. Everything I make is personal, whether it’s a dessert or a piece of art. I put intention, creativity, and care into every item, and I think people can feel that. I’m most proud of how much it’s grown over time. What started as a small Etsy shop selling jewelry slowly turned into something so much bigger. Now I bake, craft, and vend at markets all over Southern California, and I’ve built something that truly reflects who I am and what I love to do.

Getting here wasn’t easy. There were so many moments of doubt, pressure, and fear, especially at the beginning. I started off as a Studio Art major in college but changed paths after feeling overwhelmed by the idea that there was “no money in art.” That mindset made me second-guess myself and pushed me to find a way to have both stability and creativity in my life. I ended up switching majors to Business Analytics, and that turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. It gave me the tools to turn my passions into something real. I learned how to market, budget, manage inventory, and grow a brand, all while holding onto the creative side that matters so much to me.

Along the way, I’ve learned how important it is to stay true to yourself, even when it’s difficult. I’ve learned that starting a business takes time, patience, and a lot of problem-solving. I’ve learned to be resourceful, to work hard even when I’m tired, and to celebrate small wins. Most importantly, I’ve learned that connection matters more than anything. Whether it’s someone buying a dessert, stopping by to say hi, or sending a kind message after an event, those moments of connection mean everything.

What I want the world to know is that this business is more than just a job to me. It’s my way of expressing myself, sharing joy, and building something meaningful. I’ve poured my heart into it, and I’m excited to keep growing, learning, and creating.

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.
A road trip or beach tour around California would be the perfect way to spend a week with my best friend. Some of my favorite spots, like Santa Monica and Pismo Beach, would definitely be on the itinerary. Santa Monica offers a little bit of everything: beautiful views, great shopping, fun energy, and delicious food. Spending a day there would mean a beach picnic with a charcuterie board and treats from a local small business, walking through the city, exploring shops, trying new snacks and sweets, getting ice cream, going for a swim, and ending the day with dinner at True Food Kitchen. It’s an amazing restaurant with one of my favorite meals, shrimp tacos with cherry tomatoes and chimichurri sauce! I will never forget those tacos, and typically, I don’t even like tomatoes.

Pismo Beach is another unforgettable stop. It’s such a beautiful beach town with a relaxed, scenic atmosphere and some incredible food. Wooly’s serves a jalapeño grilled cheese sandwich that’s incredibly tasty. It comes with bacon, jack cheese, cream cheese, and jalapeños on warm French bread, served with jalapeño jelly. The co-stars of this sandwich are the candied bacon and jalapeño jelly. They blend so perfectly with all the other flavors but are unique enough to separate this sandwich from any other I’ve had! There’s also a delicious local pizza place I went to last time I was there that’s definitely worth a visit. To me, Pismo is a perfect stop to enjoy the beach and great food.

Other stops could include visiting more coastal towns and experiencing the food and all the things they have to offer. Fun things to do in these different towns would be shopping at local boutiques and thrift stores, checking out farmers markets and swap meets, and experiencing the unique energy and charm each place has to offer. Activities that would make for a great experience include whale watching, visiting an aquarium, or even taking a painting or pottery class. Places I’d view as irresistible to try would be ones with some of my other favorites, like local tea shops, dirty soda spots, and anywhere known for great fries or Brussels sprouts. These would definitely be amongst some of the food adventures!

Ultimately, the goal would be to make memories, experience new things, and discover amazing places together. The best kind of trip is one that’s filled with good food, great company, and meaningful moments, and California has so many incredible spots that make all of that possible!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to those who came before me, those who stand with me, and to my family for their constant support, love, and help every step of the way.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMarLoShop

Instagram: @themarloshop

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themarloshop

Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themarloshop?_t=8hBNlkZoiM7&_r=1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themarloshop/?invite_code=a761b5b33e0c400fb149b2f16dee2603&sender=734368420396751672