Register your interest today, and you could be in to win a Business Mentor!


If you own a small business with fewer than 20 full-time staff then simply tell us how your business would benefit from having an experienced Business Mentor work alongside you for a year (valued at $295 + GST each).

Meet Dot Ashton

Dot found immense value in having a Mentor by her side. During some of life’s toughest moments, having someone in her corner helped her keep her business afloat.  After a major upheaval in her personal life, she wasn’t in the right headspace to stay on top of everything and accidentally missed an important meeting her Mentor, Mike, had arranged. But rather than judgment, she was met with understanding and support. After explaining what had happened, they caught up, and Mike ensured she had all the information she needed to move forward. Having someone in her corner during such a difficult time helped Dot stay connected to her business and continue making progress, even when life felt overwhelming.

 

Meet Iain Escott

Iain and his wife started their business journey in 2008 with Nutty D’Lites and later expanded by acquiring the Nut Baron. Although the products are made at the same premises, they operate through different sales channels, creating a unique opportunity and challenge as they look to grow their wholesale presence.

Iain joined the mentoring programme with a clear goal: to strengthen their B2B strategy and generate new wholesale opportunities. While building relationships has always been a natural strength for them, they were looking for clarity on how to approach the right people with the right message.

Their Mentor has provided exactly that, offering structured guidance, acting as a sounding board for their many ideas, and helping turn their vision into a practical growth plan. The support has given them renewed focus and confidence to pursue wholesale opportunities with a more strategic approach.

 

Discover your potential and get the help you need with a Business Mentor.

REGISTER TODAY

Meet some of our Mentors


Meet some of our talented mentors based in Nelson/Tasman – passionate locals helping small businesses grow with expert advice and real-world experience. 

Frank

Frank Witowski

Frank is a multi-time founder known for launching award-winning products and growing businesses across New Zealand, China, and beyond. From solar tech to e-bikes, he’s scaled startups, built global supply chains, and led successful exits. Based in Nelson, Frank mentors product-based businesses with big ambitions—offering real insight into manufacturing, branding, and export strategy. His current company, Hybrid Bikes, is NZ’s most awarded e-bike brand. If you’ve got a product idea, a growing business, or plans to go global, Frank’s mentoring can help you navigate the road from idea to international success.

Fiona

Fiona Newey

With 23 years of mentoring experience and a rich HR and business background, Fiona helps Nelson business owners turn vision into action. Her structured, empathetic style supports growth in marketing, team management, systems, and strategy. Fiona offers one-on-one mentoring, business health checks, and mastermind groups to guide your next step, whether you’re building, stuck, or scaling. She’s walked the startup-to-exit journey herself and brings practical, people-focused insight to every session. If you need clarity, confidence, and a trusted mentor to walk beside you, Fiona’s your go-to guide.

David

David Price

David brings 35+ years of international business experience to Nelson. From NZ’s dairy industry to private-label strategy for European supermarkets, and consulting across eight countries, he’s a pro at brand development, marketing, and export planning. David helps businesses identify consumer needs, build market-ready products, and navigate retailer relationships, locally and abroad. His approach is pragmatic, focused on achievable steps that drive long-term growth. If you're ready to take your product to new markets or sharpen your brand strategy, David’s deep expertise and hands-on support can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Owning a small business can be a bit of a juggle. Not sure yet if you need a hand?​

Complete our busiiness health check questionnaire

Terms and Conditions


  1. The winner will be selected at the discretion of Business Mentors New Zealand.
  2. The winner will be issued a registration code that entitles them to up to 12 months of mentoring.
  3. Your business should have fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff.
  4. Expressions of interest can be submitted up until 11:59 pm, Thursday July 31st, 2025 Winners will be advised 2 weeks after this date.
  5. All selected recipients will be notified directly by Business Mentors New Zealand.
  6. Business Mentors New Zealand’s standard Mentee Terms and Conditions apply to all recipients. By submitting this form you agree to these terms.
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