Who We Are

After 20 years of banking experience in London, New York and Auckland, Melissa left her role as Chief Digital Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy for Westpac when she was dragged down to a remote farming community on the Kaikoura Coast by her husband. They bought the family business - a restaurant on the beach – and navigated it through an earthquake, a pandemic and the development and launch of a new campsite.

The experience has been hugely valuable. “I loved banking, and I love the city. But in the corporate world you have every resource you could ever need at your disposal; the best of global research, analysts, leadership coaches and mentors, the time and money to think about business models and innovation, and invest in disruptive new technologies. In reality you get a bit spoiled and ironically a bit out of touch from always trying to stay 5 steps ahead.”

The experience of being a small business owner in small-town New Zealand has given Melissa a brand new perspective on what it means to be on the front line.

“One minute you’re learning how to write Instagram posts, the next you are covering a shift making coffees, then you’re trying to digitise your back office or diversify your product offering – its exciting and exhausting.”

“An understanding of that small business customer at the end of a service offering helps bring a touch of reality to the boardroom or helps you empathise with the business owner you are coaching. It also gives real life examples that back up all those strategic models and governance modules that you learn at business school or with the Institute of Directors.”

While taking time out to have her two boys, Melissa joined the board of Angel Investors Marlborough, consulted to an Artificial Intelligence start up in Auckland and coached a few young Marlborough businesses. “I was instantly drawn to the excitement and the energy of the start-up community. The passion of the founders, the pace of execution, the power of a constructive ecosystem. These are all elements of great business that are often elusive in larger organisations.” 

Her mission is now to blend the best of all these worlds, to help grow future-focussed businesses. While her practical skills lie in digital strategy and execution, her passion lies in people and leadership. “Despite all the obvious benefits of using technology to drive better customer outcomes and process efficiencies, nothing quite beats the power of a few great humans that work well together and have fun.”

“Get the people right, invest in a stellar culture and work relentlessly on your leadership.”

“Oh and supplement with great coffee.”

The ideal ingredients for a great future-focussed business.