Being within the C-suite is a high-pressure job with lengthy hours, board obligations, and intense scrutiny. However what’s it prefer to be a prime government whenever you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s collection, The Good Life, exhibits how up-and-coming leaders spend their money and time outdoors of labor.
Right this moment, we meet Scott Mellin, the 59-year-old world chief model officer of Salomon’s—the 78-year-old French sports activities model, that’s credited with serving to to invent two Olympic sports activities: ski cross and boarder cross (often known as snowboard cross).
Based within the French Alps in 1947, Salomon has lengthy been a staple for mountain athletes. However should you haven’t worn its ski gear, you’ve doubtless seen it on Rihanna, who strutted throughout the 2023 Tremendous Bowl halftime stage of their get-up.
Concentrate on Sport/Getty Pictures
Behind Salomon’s transformation from a distinct segment outside efficiency label to a billion-dollar streetwear phenomenon is Mellin. After over 30 years of climbing the ranks in promoting—together with 5 CEO roles and a senior management function at The North Face, the place he helped scale its recycled product content material from simply 7% to over 70%—he was lured out of “semi-retirement” by a proposal to steer Salomon’s subsequent chapter.
“Once I bought a name from the CEO, providing me the chance to maneuver to lovely Annecy in France, and lead a model acceleration, it was too good to show down,” Mellin remembers. So similar to that, the exec packed up his life in Colorado and moved along with his household to the picturesque city nestled close to the Alps.
Since becoming a member of, he’s helped put its path footwear on style week runways and launched the world’s first recyclable ski helmet. After taking 75 years to achieve $1 billion in annual income in 2022, Salomon is now on monitor to double that determine, the corporate claims.
Subsequent up? The model might be outfitting 27,000 volunteers on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. And regardless of driving innovation at a billion-dollar model, Mellin’s day-to-day routine is surprisingly low-key: The Gen Xer tells Fortune he’s by no means worn a watch, will get picked up and dropped off at work by his spouse, and downs as much as 4 double espressos very first thing every morning—earlier than heading into the workplace at midday and dealing nicely into the night. It’s a rhythm he’s caught to for greater than 25 years.
The funds
Fortune: What’s been the very best funding you’ve ever purchased?
I need to say, the very best investments I’ve ever made are in property. Spending on properties within the U.S., the place I’m initially from, has given me the chance to construct my whole retirement fund.
And the worst?
Once I put 100% of my 401K into AOL shares in 1996 – let’s simply say, I didn’t get mail!
In case you have youngsters, what does your childcare preparations seem like?
My youngsters have flown the nest, however my spouse and I have been lucky to have the monetary functionality for her to remain residence to boost our children after they have been small. I take into account it one in all my best luxuries that this meant we may take them around the globe by my work and make them actually world residents.
How do you commute to work?
My spouse and I share a totally electrical Skoda Enyaq. She drops me off at work and picks me up on the finish of the day, we use this high quality time to attach.
What private finance recommendation would you give your 20-year-old self?
Open a brokerage account to grasp the inventory market sooner: purchase, promote, and commerce funding securities. The largest hurdle to purchasing a home is having a down fee, so information to assist construct one earlier may actually assist.
What’s the one subscription you possibly can’t stay with out?
Apple One; it has all the pieces, from magazines to Apple TV to podcasts.
The place’s your go-to wristwatch from?
I’ve by no means worn a watch. I exploit my telephone, and once I’m on my bike, there’s a pc on the handlebars, so there’s no want for it.
The requirements
How do you get your each day espresso repair?
Espresso is a continuing in my day. At residence, I’ve three to 4 double espresso photographs from my Jura espresso machine once I get up. Once I’m out, I like straight darkish espresso. At Salomon’s head workplace, we now have a espresso bar, however I additionally preserve a gradual provide of Nespresso capsules in my backpack—in case I’m caught quick.
“The largest hurdle to purchasing a home is having a down fee, so information to assist construct one earlier may actually assist.”
Scott Mellin
What about consuming on the go?
I’m a creature of routine. I all the time eat lunch with one in all my crew members within the Salomon canteen for an hour to speak and join. It’s a very good slowdown within the day and provides me some high quality private time with them. For dinner, there are often loads of company on the town, so it varies from an area lodge to fantastic eating.
The place do you purchase groceries?
I stay on the west aspect of Lake Annecy, the place native markets herald recent produce twice a day. I’m fortunate that my spouse is an excellent chef and has all the time been professional ‘farm to desk’ when it comes to meals for the household, so within the grocery division we’re spoilt for selection.
The place do you store on your work wardrobe?
Clearly, I prefer to signify Salomon, with a store on-site at our Annecy HQ. However my fashion hasn’t modified over time, I’ve all the time simply worn black.
The treats
How do you unwind from the highest job?
Actually, I don’t differentiate between work and life. I like this business and imagine the outside is the very best assembly room. I spend my morning snowboarding or using my bike, which supplies me time to assume deeply in regards to the enterprise earlier than heading to the workplace at midday. I work later into the night or head out for dinner with shoppers or companions. It could be completely different, however it’s a routine I’ve caught to for over 25 years. I’ve additionally present in attempting to retire that if I don’t have a enterprise to consider, I really feel the ache that comes with train hits tougher on the mountain!
“Once I bought a name from the CEO, providing me the chance to maneuver to lovely Annecy in France, and lead a model acceleration, it was too good to show down.”Scott Mellin
What’s the very best bonus deal with you’ve purchased your self?
A Cervelo S5 with full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and C60 Wheelset. I purchased it after a difficult first 12 months at Salomon.
Courtesy of Salomon
How do you report your notes in a gathering?
I take psychological notes so I can focus and hear intently in conferences. Connecting with individuals straight is a very powerful worth of a gathering.
Take us on vacation with you, what’s subsequent in your trip checklist?
With my children dwelling in New York Metropolis and Mexico, we attempt to go on vacation no less than yearly. My type of trip has to have a sporting or adrenaline part, whether or not snowboarding in Japan, biking in Tuscany or climbing Mount Denali, I strongly imagine that train balances your thoughts and physique out.
Fortune needs to listen to from leaders on what their “Good Life” appears to be like like. Get in contact: orianna.royle@fortune.com
