
After facilitating the post-acquisition transition, I launched Iron Horse Consulting with a clear mission: to help other business owners achieve the same success and satisfaction, while building effective exit strategies as they grow.
I began my career in veterinary hospitals, working my way up from receptionist to practice manager, over 15 years while earning my Bachelor of Business Administration. After experiencing burnout, I made a pivotal shift to the Trades industry, joining a plumbing and HVAC company where I discovered my true passion for accounting.
After facilitating the post-acquisition transition, I launched Iron Horse Consulting with a clear mission: to help other business owners achieve the same success and satisfaction, while building effective exit strategies as they grow.

The name "Iron Horse" represents the strong foundations necessary to build a successful business. It also subtly nods to my love of motorcycles and agricultural upbringing, where I developed the unwavering work ethic and drive for continuous improvement that defines my approach today.
My unique value comes from having lived the day-to-day realities of growing services businesses. I don't just understand accounting concepts in theory, I've applied them in the trenches, knowing which rules to follow strictly and which guidelines can be flexed to meet business needs.
My experience across both veterinary and trades industries has taught me that while each sector has unique challenges, service businesses share common struggles. This cross-industry perspective allows me to identify opportunities and overcome weaknesses that many businesses face.
Integrity stands as our primary core value. I believe that trustworthiness opens doors to more significant opportunities and conversations. I'm committed to continuous learning and personal growth, which enables me to adapt and innovate for my clients. My planning always focuses on long-term goals, ensuring that we're building toward lasting success rather than just quick wins.
One of my proudest achievements was implementing financial education workshops for employees at my previous company. By improving their personal financial skills, we not only reduced payroll advance requests, but also enhanced company-wide financial performance and understanding. This experience reinforced my belief that investing in people's financial knowledge creates ripple effects throughout an organization.
I'm passionate about working with business owners and their teams, knowing each employee by name rather than just seeing them as numbers on a payroll report. The ability to quickly impact positive change in smaller, more agile businesses brings me tremendous satisfaction, as does preserving the "friends and family" atmosphere that makes small companies special.
The name "Iron Horse" represents the strong foundations necessary to build a successful business.
It also subtly nods to my love of motorcycles and agricultural upbringing, where I developed the unwavering work ethic and drive for continuous improvement that defines my approach today.
My unique value comes from having lived the day-to-day realities of growing services businesses.
I don't just understand accounting concepts in theory, I've applied them in the trenches, knowing which rules to follow strictly and which guidelines can be flexed to meet business needs.
My experience across both veterinary and trades industries has taught me that while each sector has unique challenges, service businesses share common struggles. This cross-industry perspective allows me to identify opportunities and overcome weaknesses that many businesses face.
Integrity stands as our primary core value. I believe that trustworthiness opens doors to more significant opportunities and conversations. I'm committed to continuous learning and personal growth, which enables me to adapt and innovate for my clients. My planning always focuses on long-term goals, ensuring that we're building toward lasting success rather than just quick wins.
One of my proudest achievements was implementing financial education workshops for employees at my previous company. By improving their personal financial skills, we not only reduced payroll advance requests, but also enhanced company-wide financial performance and understanding. This experience reinforced my belief that investing in people's financial knowledge creates ripple effects throughout an organization.
I'm passionate about working with business owners and their teams, knowing each employee by name rather than just seeing them as numbers on a payroll report. The ability to quickly impact positive change in smaller, more agile businesses brings me tremendous satisfaction, as does preserving the "friends and family" atmosphere that makes small companies special.

Copyright 2026. Iron Horse Consulting | Melanie Sloane. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2026. Iron Horse Consulting | Melanie Sloane. All Rights Reserved.