Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny. But what is it like to be a top executive when you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
Today, we meet Scott Mellin, the 59-year-old global chief brand officer of Salomon’s—the 78-year-old French sports brand, that is credited with helping to invent two Olympic sports: ski cross and boarder cross (also known as snowboard cross).
Founded in the French Alps in 1947, Salomon has long been a staple for mountain athletes. But if you haven’t worn its ski gear, you’ve likely seen it on Rihanna, who strutted across the 2023 Super Bowl halftime stage in their get-up.
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Behind Salomon’s transformation from a niche outdoor performance label to a billion-dollar streetwear phenomenon is Mellin. After over 30 years of climbing the ranks in advertising—including 5 CEO roles and a senior leadership role at The North Face, where he helped scale its recycled product content from just 7% to over 70%—he was lured out of “semi-retirement” by an offer to lead Salomon’s next chapter.
“When I got a call from the CEO, offering me the opportunity to move to beautiful Annecy in France, and lead a brand acceleration, it was too good to turn down,” Mellin recalls. So just like that, the exec packed up his life in Colorado and moved with his family to the picturesque town nestled near the Alps.
Since joining, he’s helped put its trail shoes on fashion week runways and launched the world’s first recyclable ski helmet. After taking 75 years to reach $1 billion in annual revenue in 2022, Salomon is now on track to double that figure, the company claims.
Next up? The brand will be outfitting 27,000 volunteers at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. And despite driving innovation at a billion-dollar brand, Mellin’s day-to-day routine is surprisingly low-key: The Gen Xer tells Fortune he’s never worn a watch, gets picked up and dropped off at work by his wife, and downs up to four double espressos first thing each morning—before heading into the office at noon and working well into the evening. It’s a rhythm he’s stuck to for more than 25 years.
The finances
Fortune: What’s been the best investment you’ve ever bought?
I must say, the best investments I’ve ever made are in property. Spending on homes in the U.S., where I am originally from, has given me the opportunity to build my total retirement fund.
And the worst?
When I put 100% of my 401K into AOL stocks in 1996 – let’s just say, I did not get mail!
If you have children, what does your childcare arrangements look like?
My children have flown the nest, but my wife and I were fortunate to have the financial capability for her to stay home to raise our kids when they were small. I consider it one of my greatest luxuries that this meant we could take them around the world through my work and make them truly global citizens.
How do you commute to work?
My wife and I share a fully electric Skoda Enyaq. She drops me off at work and picks me up at the end of the day, we use this quality time to connect.
What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Open a brokerage account to understand the stock market sooner: how to buy, sell, and trade investment securities. The biggest hurdle to buying a house is having a down payment, so knowledge to help build one earlier could really help.
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
Apple One; it has everything, from magazines to Apple TV to podcasts.
Where’s your go-to wristwatch from?
I’ve never worn a watch. I use my phone, and when I’m on my bike, there’s a computer on the handlebars, so there’s no need for it.
The necessities
How do you get your daily coffee fix?
Coffee is a constant in my day. At home, I have three to four double espresso shots from my Jura coffee machine when I wake up. When I’m out, I love straight dark espresso. At Salomon’s head office, we have a coffee bar, but I also keep a steady supply of Nespresso capsules in my backpack—in case I’m caught short.
“The biggest hurdle to buying a house is having a down payment, so knowledge to help build one earlier could really help.”
Scott Mellin
What about eating on the go?
I am a creature of routine. I always eat lunch with one of my team members in the Salomon canteen for an hour to talk and connect. It’s a good slowdown in the day and gives me some quality personal time with them. For dinner, there are usually a lot of guests in town, so it varies from a local hotel to fine dining.
Where do you buy groceries?
I live on the west side of Lake Annecy, where local markets bring in fresh produce twice a day. I’m lucky that my wife is a brilliant chef and has always been pro ‘farm to table’ in terms of food for the family, so in the grocery department we are spoilt for choice.
Where do you shop for your work wardrobe?
Obviously, I like to represent Salomon, with a shop on-site at our Annecy HQ. But my style hasn’t changed over time, I’ve always just worn black.
The treats
How do you unwind from the top job?
Honestly, I don’t differentiate between work and life. I love this industry and believe the outdoors is the best meeting room. I spend my morning skiing or riding my bike, which gives me time to think deeply about the business before heading to the office at noon. I work later into the evening or head out for dinner with clients or partners. It might be different, but it is a routine I’ve stuck to for over 25 years. I’ve also found in trying to retire that if I don’t have a business to think about, I feel the pain that comes with exercise hits harder on the mountain!
“When I got a call from the CEO, offering me the opportunity to move to beautiful Annecy in France, and lead a brand acceleration, it was too good to turn down.”Scott Mellin
What’s the best bonus treat you’ve bought yourself?
A Cervelo S5 with full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and C60 Wheelset. I bought it after a challenging first year at Salomon.
Courtesy of Salomon
How do you record your notes in a meeting?
I take mental notes so I can focus and listen intently in meetings. Connecting with people directly is the most important value of a meeting.
Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your vacation list?
With my kids living in New York City and Mexico, we try and go on holiday at least once a year. My kind of vacation has to have a sporting or adrenaline component, whether skiing in Japan, cycling in Tuscany or climbing Mount Denali, I strongly believe that exercise balances your mind and body out.
Fortune wants to hear from leaders on what their “Good Life” looks like. Get in touch: [email protected]
