Beating to Her Own Drum | Chelsea Levine | Entrepreneur Behind Seavine & Marching Arts Innovator

Chelsea Levine turned a middle school hobby into a thriving business that’s changing the marching arts world. As the founder of Seavine, she designs niche products for cymbal and horn players while funding scholarships for young musicians. From performing with elite groups like Rhythm X to manufacturing gear used by drum lines across the globe, Chelsea has built a life centered on creativity, independence, and giving back. In this conversation, she shares how growing up in Atlantic City shaped her drive, why she dropped out of college to pursue performance, and what it takes to turn a niche passion into a full-time career. You’ll hear stories from the worlds of Drum Corps, Winter Guard International, and even the Macy’s Day Parade, plus her insights on entrepreneurship, lifestyle design, and doing work you love. Chapters 00:00 Meet Chelsea Levine 04:10 Growing Up in Atlantic City and Early Independence 08:25 Joining Band to Beat Boredom 12:15 From High School Grad in 3 Years to Drum Corps Performer 16:05 Dropping Out to Pursue Rhythm X 20:20 Choosing Lifestyle Before Career Path 25:15 Building Seavine from Idea to Global Brand 30:40 Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation 34:55 How Seavine Gives Back Through Scholarships 39:10 Highlights from Drum Corps, WGI, and the Macy’s Day Parade 44:20 Lessons from Performing with Cirque Du Soleil 48:35 Transitioning from Apple to Full-Time Entrepreneur 53:10 Why Reading and Learning Are Always Worth It 56:25 What’s Next for Chelsea and Seavine The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices