Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Melting And Brian Borders.
Hi Samantha Melting and Brian Borders, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We’ve known each other for almost 20 years. Over that time, we’ve been colleagues, friends, and mentors to one another. We first met in corporate America, where we spent years leading big teams, building strategies, and solving problems at scale. We worked hard, learned a lot, and built a deep respect for each other’s strengths.
But life has a way of reshaping what matters.
For Samantha, losing her husband was a life-altering moment. Suddenly, she was not only navigating grief but also raising two children on her own. It made her pause, reflect, and rethink what the next chapter of life should look like. For Brian, his own family challenges gave him a new lens on what really matters. Both of us came to the same realization: we didn’t want just another corporate title or the next rung on the ladder—we wanted work that mattered. Work that fed our passions and allowed us to see the difference we could make in the lives of people, businesses, and communities every single day.
That journey has given us a deep appreciation for each day we have, and it’s why we choose to focus on what truly matters—creating work that makes a positive difference.
That’s when Mayfield Consulting came into our picture.
When the founder decided to retire we had the opportunity to carry her legacy forward. It was the perfect launching point for us. She built a strong foundation, and we brought in our own mix of experience—Samantha with deep expertise and leadership in marketing, branding, and customer growth; Brian with decades of leadership in operations, transformation, and execution. Together, we knew we could take the business to new heights and help even more companies in more ways.
And this chapter has been about more than just us. Brian’s son, Bryce, joined Mayfield Consulting not long after we took over. Working together has been a gift—bringing Brian and Bryce closer than ever while giving Bryce the chance to learn, grow, and thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. He’s become such a valuable part of our team and our story.
So what do we do now? In short—we roll up our sleeves and help small and mid-sized businesses grow, fix what’s not working, and move faster. We bring the kind of expertise you’d normally only find in the largest companies, and we tailor it to businesses that can’t afford (and don’t need) that kind of talent full-time. That might mean sharpening marketing so the right customers listen, simplifying operations so things run smoother, or helping navigate the twists and turns of a business sale or acquisition. Whatever the challenge, we’re not just here to point it out—we’re here to help fix it.
At Mayfield Consulting, we believe in doing work that matters. For us, it’s not about corporate titles or endless reports—it’s about creating real results for real people.
This is our story, and we’re just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any business owner will tell you, the journey is never a straight line. We’ve had our share of obstacles. Each one pushing us to grow, adapt, and get sharper about who we are and how we serve.
1. Fine-tuning our brand.
When we first took over Mayfield Consulting, one of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to make our brand truly reflect us. We didn’t want to be everything to everyone—we wanted to be clear, tailored, and niche while still honoring the wide range of expertise we bring to the table. That meant a lot of listening, testing, and long conversations with mentors and experts who helped us land on a message that resonates with our audience. It wasn’t easy, but it’s made us stronger and more intentional in how we show up.
2. Navigating the realities of buying a small business.
Taking over an existing company comes with both blessings and challenges. We had to take a hard look at the organization — from talent and structure to processes and tools — and make changes to meet the demands of today’s clients. We modernized the foundation, rebuilt the website, refreshed the logo, and created new marketing. We also invested in hiring new talent and automating processes so the business could scale. One of the biggest game changers has been bringing in AI. By combining the speed of AI with our decades of real-world business expertise, we can deliver better work, faster, and in a more cost-effective way. On top of that, we’ve leaned into our natural strengths as leaders—Samantha, the creative mind, and Brian as the operational expert. Dividing and conquering has helped us find balance and deliver the very best to our business and our clients.
3. Growing the business.
Building and expanding our client base has been both exciting and challenging. Most of our work comes through referrals, which is a huge compliment, but we also know we need to invest in our own marketing and business development—just like we do for our clients. As a small business, that takes both time and personal capital. We’re actively building campaigns, sharpening our message, and putting ourselves out there in new ways. It’s a work in progress, but every step forward brings new opportunities and deeper relationships.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mayfield Consulting?
At Mayfield Consulting, we like to say this is where results happen. We help small and medium-sized businesses gain clarity that drives growth—simplifying operations, accelerating sales, and protecting value when it matters most. We work with founders, operators, investors, and searchers who need more than advice—they need execution.
We’re known for rolling up our sleeves and working right alongside our clients. Both of us have sat in the same seats our clients sit in—we’ve run big businesses, and now we run our own small business too. We know firsthand what it takes to lead, to grow, and to keep moving forward when resources are stretched. That perspective is why we focus on four core services:
– Strategic Advisory – acting as experienced thought partners for founders and executives who need clarity, direction, and a plan they can actually execute.
– On-Demand Marketing and Operational Support – stepping in when companies have goals but no bandwidth, providing immediate, practical help across marketing and operations.
– Mayfield Express – affordable, turnkey marketing support designed specifically for small businesses that need results without the overhead.
– Operational & Commercial Diligence – helping buyers and investors make confident decisions by uncovering risks, surfacing opportunities, and ensuring the value of a deal holds after closing.
Two things really make us different. We bring Fortune 100 expertise to smaller businesses. We’ve lived that world and know how to scale—but we tailor that experience to fit the realities of small and mid-sized companies. We don’t just strategize, we execute. We dig in, get our hands dirty, and work side by side until the work gets done and results are clear.
And because we balance each other out—Samantha as the creative mind and Brian as the operational expert—we bring both vision and execution in a way that creates real impact.
We’re proud of taking a 37-year legacy and giving it new energy. We’ve refreshed the brand, modernized our tools (including the smart use of AI), and expanded our services—all while keeping the same heart: meaningful partnerships and results that last.
We want people to know that Mayfield Consulting is built for businesses like theirs. We understand what it takes to run a business, because we’ve been there ourselves—and we know the difference between advice on paper and results in practice. Whether it’s through Strategic Advisory, On-Demand Marketing and Operational Support, Mayfield Express, or Operational & Commercial Diligence, our mission is simple: to help more businesses—and the people behind them—thrive.
What are your plans for the future?
As proud as we are of how far we’ve come, we know this is only the beginning. Our future is about continuing to refine who we are and how we show up—making sure our branding and marketing clearly reflect the value we bring, and using that to connect with even more small and mid-sized businesses that need our help. We want Mayfield Consulting to be known as the go-to resource for companies navigating growth and transition, as well as for buyers and investors who need trusted expertise during acquisitions.
We’re also excited about creating new ways to serve. Not every small business can afford full consulting support, but that doesn’t mean they should go without the tools they need to succeed. That’s why we’re building a new line of digital products and service offerings designed specifically for the smallest of businesses—giving them affordable, practical guidance they can use to thrive.
Ultimately, our vision is simple: expand our reach so we can help more businesses, in more places, in more ways. The work we’re doing today is laying the foundation for tomorrow, and we can’t wait to see the impact it will create for the companies, people, and communities we serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mayfieldconsulting.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mayfieldconsultinginc/
