With 40 years of real-world business experience and a 9.5/10 NPS score, Kevin D'Ambros-Smith is the coach New Zealand's fastest-growing businesses turn to when they're serious — turning everyday customers into raving fans and acquiring new ones faster than they thought possible.
"Kevin D'Ambros-Smith presented on the Icehouse Owner Manager Programme and he was brilliant. He presented his key takeaways from 40 years in business and it was the most notes I have ever taken from any speaker."
Steve Holloway Founder, Between Two Beers PodcastNew Zealand is full of business coaches who peddle mindset theory and borrowed case studies. Kevin is different. He's built and run his own businesses, worked at the sharp end of marketing and media, and spent decades helping NZ's SMEs find their Secret Sauce — and actually implement it.
His clients don't just feel inspired. They leave with a plan — and execute it immediately.
Clients describe Kevin's approach as "the complete opposite" of high-profile programs that deliver nothing but motivation.
"I had tried a couple of high-profile US entrepreneur programs but found these just talked about 'mindset', whereas Kevin gives practical advice to grow your business that you can implement immediately."
Brett AbeilleBusiness Owner"I have grown my business 5x since working with Kevin. Everything Kevin told me to do was the complete opposite of what I had been doing — working with Kevin has truly been a complete game changer."
RichardChem SuppliersKevin's background in creative agencies, SME ownership, and corporate leadership means he sees opportunities other coaches completely miss. He doesn't teach from a textbook — he teaches from a career spanning four decades.
That's why John Roberts, COO of Oragene, says his weekly session with Kevin is "the highlight of my week" — and why Kevin opened up an entirely new B2C market for Oragene that John would never have considered on his own.
Kevin's signature strength is helping businesses discover and amplify their "Secret Sauce" — the thing that turns a transaction into a relationship, and a relationship into fierce loyalty. He has delivered this transformation across every sector: food & beverage, services, NFPs, tech, hospitality, and more.
The New Zealand Blood Service brought in Kevin when they needed fresh ideas about retaining and acquiring donors. They left buzzing with ideas they wanted to implement immediately. The Icehouse trusts Kevin to front their high-stakes BNZ Growth Presentations right across New Zealand — because every single time, the results speak for themselves.
"We went away with so many great ideas we wanted to implement. It was a fantastic presentation — we were hanging on every word." — Scott Pearce, NZ Blood Service
"He drops game-changing insights and actionable shortcuts that show businesses exactly how to turn everyday customers into raving, loyal fans — and acquire new ones faster than ever thought possible."
Gareth BaylissSales Manager, The Icehouse"The energy in the room was palpable. Kevin, you distilled business, marketing and sales strategy into powerful simple concepts and actions. You walk the talk with empathy and passion."
NikkiMahiTahi / Colab — after Kevin worked with 11 Food & Beverage businessesThese aren't projections or promises. These are outcomes Kevin's clients have actually achieved — in their own words.
"Kevin is an absolute powerhouse! He doubled our business's profits in the first month alone with lots more of his recommendations still to be rolled out."
Curtis Hacon · Give A Sh!T (NPS: +100)"I have grown my business 5x since working with Kevin. Working with Kevin has truly been a complete game changer."
Richard · Chem Suppliers"What we achieved in the last 3 months working with Kevin would have taken 2 years. Kevin's assistance has been very inspirational to our staff."
Chris · Global Culture"Within an hour Kevin had us thinking about our business and our goals in a totally different way — we decided it was more important that we continued the meeting with Kevin."
Angus & Cameron · Flatpack CoKevin has delivered for the Owner Manager Programme, BNZ Growth Presentations, ATTED workshops, MahiTahi, Kinetic Electrical, Tile Space, and dozens of individual coaching clients. Here's what those inside The Icehouse say.
"Kevin is a master of his craft. He is a powerhouse presenter and facilitator who brings an explosive blend of energy and expertise to every room he steps into. Participants don't just sit and listen; they leave buzzing with breakthrough ideas and simplified, highly effective growth strategies. Most importantly, Kevin leaves people profoundly inspired, fully equipped, and fiercely motivated to drive their businesses forward. He is the standard-setter!"
Darilyn KaneCoaching and Advisory Lead, The IcehouseFrom food & beverage to healthcare, professional services to tech — Kevin's clients span every industry. One thing they share: transformation.
"Kevin understood the business straightaway, was able to identify some of the areas where we could grow it, and some of the things to park... He was just brilliant."
Sarah McGuinnessFounder & CEO, Revolutionaries of Wellbeing"I catch up with Kevin once a week and it is definitely the highlight of my week. I would not have considered the B2C market as an opportunity before working with Kevin — now it is a major focus for us."
John RobertsCOO, Oragene"He really got our vision from the beginning and has been a huge help in putting together a clearer plan and strategy for the next five years."
Gabby KirkPapier Hq"Kevin has simplified a lot of the processes that have been floating in my head. I feel confident and able to do this, thanks to Kevin."
Estelle KruseIcehouse Coaching Client · NPS 9/10"Kevin is passionate about helping others grow and it's very evident in the way he works."
Chris EkigboIcehouse Coaching Client · NPS 10/10"Kevin had a no-nonsense approach and tackled the issues head on. Accountability was the key."
Ashley BerrysmithIcehouse Coaching Client"Kevin's session was really great. Real passion there, and the content of the presentation was top notch."
Steven HoreTYBF Programme · 7/7"Kevin had some great business examples and provoked me to think outside the parameters."
Kate StanburyTYBF Programme · 7/7"I could have listened to you for hours."
Micheal NyProperty & Hospitality Owner, Developer, InvestorThe most powerful testimonials are often the sharpest — the immediate, instinctive reactions from people who felt the shift happen in real time.
"Kevin has the ability to make everything so simple. He can take something that seems like a complicated task and break this down to 1 or 2 key things, so that achieving the desired outcome becomes easier and very achievable."
J&L ClientBusiness Coaching"You make success tangible. Help me go from a wish to reality. Make tripling the size of my business go from seeming impossible to really possible."
LinaGood Gravy"Kevin is great to work with. He has strong knowledge, shares relevant examples and stories and is empathic and real. I really enjoy working with him."
Heidi LanceIcehouse Coaching Client · NPS 8/10"Quick thinking. Realistic planning. Friendly, motivating and optimistic."
Jono MabeyIcehouse Coaching Client · NPS 10/10"Kevin is very supportive and really gets our business. He has been amazing to work with, looking forward to seeing our plans in action."
Gemma AdamsIcehouse Coaching Client · NPS 10/10"The sessions are practical, interactive and insightful. I wasn't expecting to be so engaged in them as I have been."
Monica RoachTYBF Programme · 7/7"Relevant to our situation. Kevin understands our business and takes a real interest in how we are going. He is super encouraging."
"Kevin has some amazing ideas around marketing, things we would have never thought of ourselves. He has gone above and beyond what he needed to!"
"We learnt heaps and still have so much more to think about. A great coach who communicates well."
"Relevant, detailed, genuine motivation and interest."
"Kevin is very easy to get on with and has helped us come up with some good ideas that we have been able to implement."
"Thank you Kevin for your valued and impactful contribution to another Icehouse OMP cohort!!"
Kevin works with a select number of business owners and leaders at any one time. If you're serious about growth — turning your customers into raving fans and acquiring new ones faster than you thought possible — we'd love to hear from you.