Business can feel lonely. You're making big decisions, juggling competing priorities, and trying to grow without burning out yourself or your team. As an accredited Business Mentor, I bring both structure and lived experience to support you.
Business development is about designing how your business grows — through smarter offers, clearer positioning, better systems, and stronger relationships. I bring both strategic and real-world experience to this, blending classic growth levers with mentoring that supports you as the business owner.
I've mentored a wide range of owners, from early-stage founders to established operators navigating growth, change, or succession. I also co-founded the O2E business mentoring programme — a practical, no-nonsense pathway designed to help owners move from "operator" to "owner", with clearer strategy, better numbers, and stronger leadership. It was a 6-month growth programme and we had 100% satisfaction and growth from all attendees.
You'll get direct, honest feedback, clear options, and someone who is there to help you move from stuck to decisive — without the jargon or fluff.
Packaging Recyclers in Auckland wanted to grow their impact and clarify their offer around sustainable, reused cardboard packaging. I supported them with brand strategy and naming development for "Good As Boxes" — a more distinctive, memorable way to talk about high-quality reused cartons.
I developed messaging and positioning that clearly communicated lower cost, strong quality, and environmental benefits, along with product story and copy to help customers understand why reuse is a smarter, more sustainable choice.
The brand became a strong, recognisable proposition for sustainable packaging, with a clear circular-economy story and a human tone of voice. The owners later successfully exited the business, with the brand and proposition a key part of the value and growth story.
Regular sessions to work through challenges, clarify decisions, and build momentum.
Including pricing, packaging, and how you talk about what you do.
Scale, systemise, or exit — next-phase strategy for where you want to go.
“Donna is very supportive, knowledgeable, and understands the wider challenges for business owners. She has been exceptionally supportive and encouraging, and generous with her time and guidance. Her advice has been crucial for our business through the current economic conditions, but also hugely valuable on a personal basis. Her balance of realism and optimism enabled us to reframe challenges towards clear next steps.”— Client Feedback
Get in touch to talk through where you are, where you want to be, and whether working together makes sense.