The business
behind
the brand.

AN INDEPENDENT PRACTICE FOR FOUNDER-LED FASHION, LIFESTYLE AND BEAUTY BRANDS.

—

BASED IN AUSTRALIA
WORKING INTERNATIONALLY.

About

Mel Colman is an independent advisor and former General Manager with more than two decades of experience helping businesses navigate growth, transition and change.

Over a decade as General Manager at Zulu & Zephyr, she helped lead the business from an emerging Australian swim label into an internationally recognised eight-figure lifestyle brand.

Years spent inside growing businesses have shaped an instinct for what matters, when to zoom out, and when to get into the detail.

Today, through advisory and fractional partnerships, she works closely with founders as they navigate the next stage of their business.

Her work sits where strategy, operations and finance meet brand—helping founders build businesses that are as considered behind the scenes as they are to the world.

Let's Chat

Approach

Growth is rarely linear.

Every business moves through periods of momentum, uncertainty and change.

Every engagement is shaped by where a business is today, where it's heading, and what it needs most.

The work is thoughtful, collaborative and grounded in experience—with equal consideration for brand, business and people.

  • A focused session designed to step back from the day-to-day and take a broader view of the business. Together, we'll explore opportunities, challenge thinking, identify priorities, and leave with a clear direction and a practical path forward.

  • Ongoing strategic support for founders who value a trusted sounding board. Regular conversations, commercial guidance and accountability to help navigate the decisions that shape a business.

  • Providing executive-level leadership from within the business across strategy, operations and commercial decision-making. The focus is guided by the business's needs—whether that's improving profitability, building capability, strengthening financial discipline, refining operations or preparing for the next stage.

  • “Mel joined Zulu & Zephyr during its early stages and played a pivotal role in helping transform the business from a small, founder-led company into a recognised global fashion brand. Throughout her 11 years with us, she combined strategic thinking with operational excellence, helping drive our wholesale growth, establish key domestic and international partnerships, and implement the systems and processes that continue to underpin the business today. Her ability to strengthen reporting, improve overall business performance and build strong teams earned the respect of colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders alike. Mel’s contribution has been significant, and her impact on the business will be felt for many years to come.”

    —Candice Rose-O’Rourke

    Co-Founder & Director, Zulu & Zephyr

  • “Choosing to work with Mel has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself and my business. She isn’t about a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. She truly understands my values, my unconventional style, and the vision I have for my brand. Working with her has been transformative—from reviewing costs and margins to making sense of social media analytics, to simply having someone experienced to bounce ideas off. What has surprised me most is the reassurance and clarity she’s brought to my business. I no longer feel alone in the challenges of running it. What started as a one-time session quickly became an invaluable ongoing partnership.”

    —Frédérique Lessard

    Founder & Creative Director, Les Basics

  • “Working with Mel Colman has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As I embarked on launching my next D2C business, her guidance and support were truly invaluable. Mel’s approach to business is deeply rooted in strong values around people, culture and leadership—values that closely align with my own. Her ability to provide clarity, strategic insight and encouragement made a significant impact on my founder journey. Having Mel by my side strengthened my confidence and gave me the tools to make smarter, more aligned decisions for my business.”

    —Eleanor Pendleton

    Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Haléau