Strategic Insight, Personalized Support

A woman with dark hair in a bun is sitting on the beach, wearing a black swimsuit and a white B.Makowsky shoulder bag with a strap over her shoulder, looking to the right.

DTC Growth & Creative Direction for Women-Led Businesses

As a creative business strategist, I partner with female entrepreneurs to build and scale direct-to-consumer lifestyle-goods brands from concept to market-ready business across accessories, skincare, and apparel markets. I believe the strongest businesses are built on two things: a clear point of view and a solid, scalable foundation. My mission is to give women creators both.

If you're thinking of launching or scaling a DTC business, let's talk.

Melissa founder of KAIA Consulting, standing against a faded brick wall

Hi! I’m Melissa

With over 20 years of experience spanning design, sourcing, operations, and creative direction in the Los Angeles fashion accessories ecosystem, I bring a rare end-to-end perspective to every collaboration.

My work as a Creative Business Development Strategist sits at the intersection of brand identity and business infrastructure — helping founders develop a distinctive aesthetic and the operational backbone to support sustainable growth.

Think of me less as a consultant and more as a trusted partner — someone who will hold on to the big picture and all the moving parts, and keep you on track. Someone you can call when you're stuck, think out loud with when you're not sure which direction to take, and rely on to help turn your vision into something real and lasting.

End-to-end strategy and support

I’m in your corner — every step of the way

Building a direct-to-consumer brand is one of the most exciting — and challenging — things you'll ever do. You don't have to figure it out alone. I bring the expertise, guidance, and genuine care to help you move forward with clarity and confidence, from your very first idea to a fully running business.

Wherever you are in your process, I’m here to support you.


My Clients Are My Passion

How Does it Work?

  • As your dedicated business strategist, I am here to guide you every step of the way — because launching a business, while incredibly exciting, can also feel like a LOT to take on all at once.  I like to say that my superpower is my highly creative yet highly analytical brain, and my work sits at the intersection of brand identity and operational reality — because a beautiful brand without a solid foundation won't last, and a solid foundation without a clear point of view won't connect. Think of me less as a consultant and more as a trusted partner — someone who will hold on to the big picture and all the moving parts, and keep you on track. Someone you can call when you're stuck, think out loud with when you're not sure which direction to take, and rely on to help turn your vision into something real and lasting.

  • I love working with all kinds of product-based businesses and bring a wealth of experience guiding strategy across a wide range of categories. My background runs deep in the fashion world — from apparel and handbags to jewelry, shoes, and skincare — but the truth is, the core needs of a direct-to-consumer brand have so much in common, no matter what you're selling. Whether you're launching your very first product or looking to grow an existing line, chances are I've navigated the challenges you're facing and can help you find a clear, confident path forward. If you have a product and a dream, I'd love to explore how I can support you!

  • During our first call — completely free of charge — we'll have a relaxed conversation about your idea and where you are on your journey to launching or expanding your business. From there, we'll explore the areas where I can best support you, talk through pricing and timelines, and figure out what working together could look like. By the end of the chat, you'll have a clear picture of how I can help and exactly what our next steps together would be.

  • Many of my clients come to me asking this very same question — and I always love when they do! Handmade and homemade products are some of the most exciting and compelling foundations a business can be built upon. In a world increasingly dominated by mass production and fast fashion, there is something truly special and deeply appealing about a product that has been crafted with care, intention, and a personal touch. So if you've been wondering whether what you make at home is "enough" to build a business around, let me assure you — it absolutely is, and I am here to help you refine and scale your strategy so you can share that authenticity with the world.

Take the First Step toward your Dreams

Book your free consultation - no commitment, just a conversation.