Stronger leaders.Stronger teams.Stronger businesses.
Business ownership can be lonely. Kate Ross built a recruitment business from the ground up to 50+ staff nationwide, through the GFC, downturns and the pandemic, before selling to an overseas global after 27 years. CRE8 Advisory is the lived-experience sounding board you'd want before making the next big call. Sometimes you need perspective, accountability, and a team of specialists who understand the business journey.
How we work with you
Running a business can be one of the most rewarding and one of the most challenging things you'll ever do. Whether you're launching a start-up, employing your first team member, experiencing growth, planning your next stage of expansion, or simply feeling stuck, there are moments when every business owner needs an experienced sounding board. CRE8 Advisory partners with start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses to help work through the real challenges of business ownership, from planning, business growth and profitability to leadership, business structure, succession planning, people challenges and making confident business decisions. Every business is different, so our advice is practical, tailored and focused on helping you move forward with complete confidence.
Business mentoring
1:1 mentoring for owners and operators. Built from three decades of running, scaling and exiting a real NZ business.
HR
Practical, commercially focused HR solutions for growing businesses. Employee relations, investigations, change and strategic people advice.
Leadership coaching
Executive coaching for senior leaders navigating growth, restructure, or step-up roles.
Psychometric profiling
Objective, evidence-based insight into personality, behaviour and leadership potential. For hiring, teams, development and transitions.
C-Suite Transition & Leadership Advisory
Confidential, commercially focused support for executives navigating change, board pathways, promotions and the next chapter.
Succession and restructure
Plain-English succession and restructure planning for owner-operators and SMEs.
How an engagement runs
Five steps, no mystery.
This isn't traditional consulting where you're handed a document with things to do and left to work it out on your own. We work alongside you as a trusted business partner, providing ongoing advice, accountability and an independent perspective to challenge your thinking, identify opportunities and keep you focused on what matters most. Whether you're making your next hire, restructuring your business, preparing for growth, building leadership capability, navigating difficult decisions or simply looking for someone to help turn ideas into action, our role is to help you build a strong, people-focused business with the foundations, direction and confidence to succeed long-term.
Understand
Your business, leadership team, challenges and objectives.
Assess
Strengths, gaps, opportunities, risks and areas to improve.
Advise
Practical recommendations aligned with your goals.
Implement
Support through execution, accountability and change.
Grow
Sustainable improvements that drive long-term success.
We don't just give advice. We create progress: we become an extension of your leadership team, challenge assumptions, and stay through execution rather than handing over a report and walking away.
Packages
Three packages. Every stage of the journey.
Whether you're turning an idea into a business, breaking through a plateau, or want a strategic partner across a full year, there's a package built for where you are. Every engagement is personalised, because your business is uniquely yours.
For new business
Foundation Program
12 weeks
Build a business with confidence, clarity and the correct structure from day one, saving you time and money. A tailored, hands-on journey to turn your idea into a business built for sustained growth and success.
- Clarity on your vision, target market and the smartest path forward
- A strategic marketing and sales plan tailored to your offering
- Social media and marketing materials that truly represent your brand
- A financial framework with cash flow plans, break-even clarity and a 6-month plan
- Confidence in pricing, positioning and the routines that drive success
- Support from our network to open doors and explore early opportunities
By the end of 12 weeks, your business will be launched or ready to launch, and set up to generate income. A significant percentage of clients begin earning within 10–12 weeks.
Book a free 30-min callSimplify · Strengthen · Scale
Business Boost
Deep-dive + monthly support
Feeling stuck, stretched, or in need of a sharper strategy? Business Boost brings fresh eyes to your business, cuts through the clutter and builds a clear, confident path ahead.
- A deep-dive session to unpack what's working, what's stuck and where you want to go
- Sharpened focus: know exactly where your time, money and energy should go
- Growth strategies tailored to your stage and ambitions
- Solutions for profit, people and operational headaches
- Greater leadership confidence to make decisions and move faster
- Two monthly 1.5-hour sessions for accountability and support
A clear, actionable roadmap that doesn't just sit in a drawer — it's practical and it works.
Book a free 30-min callStrategic partnership · High accountability
Partnership Program
12 months
For founders, CEOs and senior leaders who want a trusted thinking partner over the full arc of a year. Structure, clarity and consistent support, without the stop-start cost of ad-hoc consulting.
- Monthly mentoring session (1.5–2 hours)
- Quarterly deep-dives: strategy, growth priorities, structure, people, profit and performance
- Six-month alignment review to keep the plan matched to your direction
- On-demand support for critical decisions between sessions
- Access to relevant frameworks, templates and tools
- A fixed monthly fee that supports cash flow
Working together over time builds deep insight into your business, team and leadership — enabling proactive, long-range decision support.
Book a free 30-min callBook an hour
Book an hour. Come with a problem, leave with a plan.
Sometimes you don't need a programme; you need a focused hour. Bring one real challenge: a tough call, a people problem, a pitch, a plan, or a decision you're sitting on. You'll leave with a clear next step.
- A decision you keep going back and forth on
- A difficult conversation or people issue
- Pricing, structure or a growth move
- Prepping for a board or investor conversation
Understand your style
Take the CRE8 Snapshot.
Fifteen statements about how you operate. Kate uses your profile to tailor mentoring from session one, no warm-up months figuring each other out. Not a clinical test. A practical head start.
The people
Who you'll work with
Lisa Willis
Senior HR & Employment Relations Consultant
25+ years in senior HR and people & capability roles.
Full bioIn their words
What clients say.
"From the very first session, it was clear we were working with someone who understood the challenges we were facing and had the experience to help us navigate them. Our sessions were focussed as well as fun, and we have appreciated Kate's practical advice and ideas that have helped us refocus and move forward with renewed energy. We would highly recommend working with her. You won't regret it!"
Mike Swindale
Director - Principal Consultant, Talinger
"I needed a confidante, a guide, a mentor and a friend. Kate clearly saw where I was playing small, where I needed to elevate and what I needed to do. And someone who had been where I am now. Five months in and I had my biggest month in business ever! And I put that down to Kate's incredible guidance."
Radhika Lucas
Business Owner, NZ business
"Kate's mentoring style is direct, creative, knowledgeable, caring with a great sense of humour. She listens, gets things done, but we have a good time doing it. I really enjoy my sessions."
Rebekha
Business Owner, NZ Airbnb business
"I have worked with Kate for the last 10 months. We did everything together. Kate showed me how to be bolder as a business owner. I have thrived under her mentorship."
Tim
Business Owner, NZ scaffolding business
"I know personally that working with Kate has been so worthwhile. My business idea would still be that. Kate Ross has guided and helped me see the potential and we haven't finished. Worth every single dollar. Thank you Kate."
Wendy
Business Owner, NZ business
"Working with Kate through the startup of my business was both detailed and personalised, she is open and honest and leaves no stone unturned. She is someone who you can trust to challenge both your ways of thinking, and support you through the highs and lows. I simply cannot recommend her services more - the mentor who doesn't read from a book - she has hands on experience, and it shows."
Kathryn Evans
Business Owner, NZ business
"From the very first session, it was clear we were working with someone who understood the challenges we were facing and had the experience to help us navigate them. Our sessions were focussed as well as fun, and we have appreciated Kate's practical advice and ideas that have helped us refocus and move forward with renewed energy. We would highly recommend working with her. You won't regret it!"
Mike Swindale
Director - Principal Consultant, Talinger
"I needed a confidante, a guide, a mentor and a friend. Kate clearly saw where I was playing small, where I needed to elevate and what I needed to do. And someone who had been where I am now. Five months in and I had my biggest month in business ever! And I put that down to Kate's incredible guidance."
Radhika Lucas
Business Owner, NZ business
"Kate's mentoring style is direct, creative, knowledgeable, caring with a great sense of humour. She listens, gets things done, but we have a good time doing it. I really enjoy my sessions."
Rebekha
Business Owner, NZ Airbnb business
"I have worked with Kate for the last 10 months. We did everything together. Kate showed me how to be bolder as a business owner. I have thrived under her mentorship."
Tim
Business Owner, NZ scaffolding business
"I know personally that working with Kate has been so worthwhile. My business idea would still be that. Kate Ross has guided and helped me see the potential and we haven't finished. Worth every single dollar. Thank you Kate."
Wendy
Business Owner, NZ business
"Working with Kate through the startup of my business was both detailed and personalised, she is open and honest and leaves no stone unturned. She is someone who you can trust to challenge both your ways of thinking, and support you through the highs and lows. I simply cannot recommend her services more - the mentor who doesn't read from a book - she has hands on experience, and it shows."
Kathryn Evans
Business Owner, NZ business
Sense-check your next move.
A 30-minute discovery call, no obligation. We'll tell you straight whether mentoring is the right fit.