About
Hi, I'm Mel.
I'm the founder of Product Charm. I help startup teams turn first sessions into lasting habits, using the science of how people actually change.
Why I do this work
The answer was always behavioral.
I've spent most of my career working inside products — writing the words users see during onboarding, in-app guidance, and the moments that are supposed to move them from curious to committed. I saw early on that some things moved people and some didn't, and I got curious about why.
That curiosity led me to behavioral science. Not as background reading, but as a practical answer to a real problem. Why do users stall before they reach value? Why does a habit form for some users and not others who had the exact same experience? The answers live in cognitive load, habit loops, and how the brain actually processes change.
I took that framework and built with it. Two apps, from scratch — and I found myself making the same decisions every founder makes about what to show first, how to sequence the experience, and what would make someone come back. Having sat on that side of the problem changed how I consult on it.
That's what I bring to every engagement — 12+ years working across product, marketing, content, research, and growth, including time at Meta and Intuit, combined with the perspective of someone who has built something from scratch and watched users not come back.
Grounded in behavioral science
This isn't background reading. It's the foundation.
I'm currently completing a postgraduate certificate in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health.
I apply what I'm learning directly to product strategy, specifically around cognitive load, habit formation, motivation, and the stress responses that drive disengagement. The result is a consulting approach that connects the decisions your team makes about onboarding and content to the way the human brain actually works.
I'm not interested in manipulative engagement tactics or dark patterns.
I care about retention that's earned, sustainable, and grounded in genuine user value. The neuroscience of habit formation is powerful. It should be used to help users succeed, not to trap them.
What I've built
Everything sits at the intersection of behavioral science, human resilience, and practical application.
Podcaster
Exploring the intersection of behavior, resilience, and identity
Audiobook narrator
Lending voice to stories and ideas that matter
Author
Upcoming book on burnout and resilience, InterVarsity Press, 2027
App builder
Apps that apply neuroscience to personal growth and emotional wellbeing
Work with me
Two focused engagements.
The CHARM Adoption Audit
For product and growth teams who suspect retention is suffering but aren't sure where adoption is breaking down. You walk away with a scored CHARM assessment, prioritized findings, and a clear path forward.
Learn moreAdoption by Design
A monthly retainer for Series A/B teams. I work on feature launches, experiment design, in-app guidance, and lifecycle strategy to get users from first session to lasting habit.
Learn more