Hello! I’m Melissa. I am a:

At 13, I already had a size 11 foot — and this was the '90s, when stylish options were about as rare as a unicorn sighting. I was teased for 'just buying the box,' and I joked that if no one would design great shoes for me, I’d do it myself one day.

Fast-forward: I forgot about dream careers, chose the 'sensible' business path, earned a Marketing degree, and spent five years in the corporate world. But that creative spark never left. After 9/11 reshaped everything (and my job in the travel industry slowed, I packed up my Orlando apartment and made the leap to New York City — no plan, one contact, and a dream bigger than my shoe size.

​My first job? An administrative assistant in fashion — ironic, since no one should ever trust me to organize their life. (Shoutout to KC for taking a chance!) I seized the opportunity, enrolled at FIT to study footwear and handbag design, and never looked back.

Since then, I've led global design teams, doubled revenues, launched brands, secured shelf space at major retailers like Nordstrom Dillard’s, and Von Maur, and built products that connect emotionally and commercially.

Today, I blend creative direction, brand strategy, and a deep understanding of product development to help brands not just grow — but thrive. If you're ready to build something unforgettable, I’m ready to help you do it."