Melody Watts is the artist behind Acrylic Melody, an emerging art business specializing in one-
of-a-kind acrylic, neon, and mixed media canvas paintings. A self-taught artist since childhood,
Melody has always enjoyed experimenting with different materials, textures, and three-
dimensional art to bring her creative ideas to life.
From 2017 to 2026, while living in Ohio, Melody expanded her reach by creating live art at
music venues and events, where Acrylic Melody began to take shape. After returning home to
Los Angeles, she was ready to reestablish her business, connect with the local community, and
share her artwork with a wider audience. However, navigating the requirements to formally
establish her business presented a challenge, particularly as a first-time business owner working
within a limited budget after relocating across the country.
After researching business resources online, Melody discovered the ICON CDC South Valley
Business Source Center and connected with Business Specialist Miguel Zamora for assistance.
ICON CDC provided hands-on business advising, beginning with a business plan development
consultation to help Melody establish a foundation for her business. She was guided through
several important steps to formalize her operations, including obtaining her Doing Business As
(DBA), securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN), obtaining her Seller’s Permit and
Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC), and navigating the process of obtaining her
StreetsLA permit. Through this step by step guidance, Melody was able to better understand the
requirements for operating her business and establish the necessary registrations and permits to
support her work, all while keeping startup costs manageable.
With these foundational steps in place, Melody has continued finding opportunities to share her
artwork throughout the Los Angeles community. One recent milestone was participating in “Art
in the Dark,” an outdoor community event where she displayed her neon glowing paintings and
created a large-scale piece of art on wood. The family friendly event gave her an opportunity to
showcase her creativity, connect with the community, and continue building visibility for Acrylic
Melody.
Looking ahead, Melody hopes to participate in more local events and street markets, display her
work in local businesses, and inspire younger generations to embrace their creativity. Through
her art, she hopes to remind children that creativity can last a lifetime when they continue to
practice and explore their talents.
Melody’s journey demonstrates how the right guidance and resources can help aspiring
entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of starting a business. ICON CDC is proud to have
supported Melody in establishing Acrylic Melody and looks forward to seeing her business
continue to grow and contribute to Los Angeles’s creative community.
To learn more about Acrylic Melody and explore Melody’s artwork, visit Linktree or follow the
business on Instagram at @acrylic_melody. Council District 2
