Catherine Cooke – The Engine – Dip. Sales Management & Marketing, Black Belt Six Sigma.
Director | Leading Business Advisor | Interim CEO | Board Member | Growth Accelerator | Company Owner | Employment Advocate, Mediator & Disputes Advocate
“Turning Passion into Profits: Your Business Advisor for Success!”
Catherine Cooke’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her unwavering passion for business.
With over two decades of experience as a business owner and more than ten years as a trusted business coach, Catherine has had the privilege of single-handedly guiding hundreds & hundreds of businesses across New Zealand towards sustainable growth and success. Her journey as a business owner began in 2001, and since then, I’ve gained hands-on experience in ownership of a wide range of industries including import, fashion, sport licensing, hospitality, marketing, and wine.
Catherine initially began her career in the corporate sector of finance, legal and politics, providing a solid base line in business. Venturing from here into design & importing with a small business client in 1998 gave her the ‘lightbulb’ moment to establish her own business in fashion and offshore sourcing in 2001. Simultaneously, she maintained her full-time role rising through the ranks of this business from Sales to Production to General Manager, demonstrating her dedication and multitasking prowess until she left to fully immerse in her own business in 2005. Growing to a staffing of 87 over 8 years, being a finalist in the Employer of the Year category for the North Shore Westpac Business Awards, securing the rights for major licences such as Rugby World Cup 2011, and developing a unique franchise retail arm earnt her the recognition as being a “remarkable businesswoman who possesses unwavering focus, boundless energy, and unyielding tenacity.”
Her extensive network and exceptional communication skills have allowed her to navigate diverse projects while maintaining a sense of humour even in high-pressure situations.”
Catherine has and continues to work with businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations, across industries such as retail, trades, construction, engineering, professional services, online platforms, tourism, and more. Additionally, she has extensive experience working with franchises, including those in the cleaning, gym, building, and service sectors. Her ‘holistic’ expertise enables her to assist in every aspect of business, from strategy and governance to operations, fiscal management, and compliance (HR & Health & Safety). A unique broad skill set has led Catherine to roles in mediation, employment advocacy, business audits, customer experience (CX), and serving as an Interim CEO or Board Member/Chair. She is also very passionate about succession planning, ensuring that businesses are set up for long-term success.
Catherine’s ability to identify core issues, devise creative solutions, build collaborative relationships, and energise teams has made her a sought-after figure in the business advisory/coaching world. Her completion of a Black Belt in Six Sigma, coupled with her incredible achievements, positions her to navigate all facets of business with confidence and passion. Her approach is centred on empowering businesses to grow by crafting bespoke strategies, actionable plans, and providing ongoing accountability.
Catherine’s personal experience with adversity equips her with invaluable life lessons and resilience, uniquely positioning her to provide effective assistance to others.
In addition to her coaching & consulting services, she has developed a pioneering business membership programme— the first of its kind—offering significant savings for businesses and their employees, along with a range of other valuable benefits. This initiative reflects my commitment to delivering innovative solutions that support businesses at every stage of their journey.
Whether you’re navigating the complexities of a start-up, managing a well-established enterprise, or planning for the future with succession strategies or need an Interim CEO Co-Pilot, Catherine brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to your success.
You’ll often find Catherine working directly with clients, both online and in person, offering tailored development coaching to their teams in areas such as culture, sales, marketing, and branding. Her hands-on, personalised approach ensures that every business she works with receives the attention and support it needs to thrive.
You won’t find a business coach like Catherine with an extensive skill set who understands the intricacies of your industry and is dedicated to helping you achieve your vision. Connect with Catherine – together, with you she can turn your business goals into a reality, making your business the success story it deserves to be.
