Kendall Steele Owner of Cafe Fresca
Running a business is no easy task – especially in the fast-paced world of hospitality. But for Hamilton café owner Kendall Steele, the journey from manager to successful business owner has been one of learning, growth, and remarkable achievement – supported by the Icehouse Business Owner Programme, delivered in partnership with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce.
Brewing Up a Dream at Café Fresca
Kendall purchased Café Fresca nearly three years ago, taking over one of Hamilton’s most loved cafés. Within the first year, she had almost doubled the café’s revenue, an impressive feat by any measure. But as many new business owners quickly learn, running a business involves far more than just great customer service and good coffee.
“The transition from manager to owner was a very steep learning curve,” says Kendall. “I’ve worked in hospitality for over 13 years in New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, and England, but ownership brings a whole new level of responsibility.”
Despite her extensive experience and strong grasp of business fundamentals, Kendall recognised there was still plenty to learn. “There’s a lot of back-of-house stuff you don’t see as a manager, from compliance to strategy and financial planning. I was constantly Googling, talking to my accountant, and asking friends who owned businesses.”
Discovering the Icehouse Business Owner Programme
After two years of strong growth, Kendall knew she needed to refine her systems and build a more sustainable strategy for the future. That’s when she came across the Icehouse Business Owner Programme, a course tailored specifically for business owners with annual revenue between $1–3 million.
Delivered regionally across New Zealand, including in Hamilton, through a partnership with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce, the programme offers practical tools and support to help business owners grow with confidence.
“A friend who’s a very successful business owner had highly recommended Icehouse,” Kendall explains. “When I saw that the Chamber had partnered with Icehouse to bring the programme to Hamilton, I knew it was time to take the plunge. Everyone I spoke to only had praise for it - that made the decision easy.”
Learning, Leading, and Growing
Through the programme, Kendall gained valuable insights into leadership, communication, and planning, all essential ingredients for long-term business success.
“I found huge value in learning how to better look after my team,” she says. “We focused on communication and creating space for honest feedback. I’ve since implemented new management templates that have opened up better connection within the team. When everyone’s on board with the vision, execution becomes so much easier.”
Kendall also credits the programme with helping her find balance and perspective.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of running a business. The Icehouse programme gave me tools and templates to reflect, plan, and build stronger operations. And sitting alongside other business owners reminded me that we’re all in the same boat, it’s not as lonely as it can sometimes feel.”
Why Waikato Businesses Should Get Involved
The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Icehouse to deliver this transformative programme for local business owners. Chamber members also receive exclusive discounted rates, making it even easier to invest in their own growth.
For business owners like Kendall, the experience has been nothing short of game-changing.
“It gave me structure, confidence, and connection,” she says. “If you’re serious about growing your business, and yourself as a leader, I can’t recommend it enough.”
Ready to take your business to the next level?
If you’re a Waikato business owner looking to strengthen your strategy, leadership, and growth, the Icehouse Business Owner Programme could be the roadmap you’ve been searching for.
