Wednesday, November 04, 2026

Revenue's up but your own pay still isn't? Mike Michalowicz's Profit First method flips the order so growth finally reaches your pocket.

Lisa Campbell owns Woodhill Distribution Ltd, a New Zealand distribution business. She wanted to know whether her prices and freight costs were protecting her margin, and whether growth in New Zealand and Australia could be a plan rather than a hope. This case study shows what the coaching covered, what Lisa says changed, and what we do not claim.

A disclosure first: Simple-Growth publishes this page and Kevin D'Ambros-Smith coached this client, so read it as a case study, not a neutral review. Market: New Zealand. Last updated 4 November 2026.

What Was The Problem?

Distributors sit between suppliers, freight and customers, so a small slip in any one of them quietly eats the margin. Lisa was making day-to-day decisions on pricing and freight without a clear picture of what each product and shipment really cost to deliver. Beyond that, she had no longer-term plan to lift her eyes from the daily work.

The pressure is not unusual. In the September 2026 NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (reported by Westpac, survey run 9 to 28 September), firms' past-three-month average selling prices read +27 and next-three-month expectations +45, while the report notes cost pressures eased only a little. When prices and costs are both moving, owners who do not know their true delivered cost are guessing.

What Did We Do?

  • Pricing and freight costs. Building a clear picture of what each product costs to land and deliver, so price decisions rest on margin, not instinct.
  • A five-year plan. Stepping back from the day-to-day to set a direction for growth in New Zealand and Australia, broken into steps that feel achievable.
  • Visibility in AI and search. Thinking more strategically about how customers find the business when they search or ask an AI assistant.

What Does Lisa Say?

"Kevin helped me get a clearer picture of my pricing and freight costs, giving me more confidence in my decisions and a better understanding of how to protect my margins. He also helped me look beyond the day-to-day and build a five-year plan — making growth in New Zealand and Australia feel like a realistic, achievable goal. Alongside that, his guidance on improving my visibility in AI and search has helped me think more strategically about how customers find the business."

Lisa Campbell
Owner, Woodhill Distribution Ltd (quoted word for word)

What We Do Not Claim

This is a testimonial-led case study. We have not published revenue, margin or growth figures for Woodhill, so none are stated here and none should be implied. The outcome Lisa describes is confidence, clarity and a plan. Whether it lifts sales is something only her results over time will show.

Is This Right For You?

  • You sell products and are not sure what each one really earns after freight and handling.
  • You know a five-year picture would help, but never get above the daily workload.
  • You want a practical plan you can start this month, not theory.

It is probably not for you if you want someone to run the business for you, or you are not willing to look at your own numbers.

Copy This Month: Four Steps

  • List your top ten products or lines and work out the delivered cost for each: product cost, inbound freight, handling and outbound freight.
  • Compare to your selling price. Mark any line where the margin is thinner than you thought.
  • Decide one price or freight change for the lines at risk, and when you will make it.
  • Write one page: where do you want the business in five years, and what are the first three moves in the next 90 days?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Simple-Growth work with product and distribution businesses?

Yes. Coaching is chosen by mindset and ambition, not sector, across 30+ industries.

What does coaching cost?

This page states no price. Eligible New Zealand businesses may be able to access co-funding through the Regional Business Partner Network, though funding is not guaranteed. See what NZ business coaches charge: https://www.simple-growth.com/growth-tips/how-much-does-a-business-coach-cost-in-nz-2026-price-guide

Can you guarantee the same result?

No. Every business starts from a different place, and this case study states only what the owner has said.

Want a clearer picture of your own pricing, freight and five-year plan? A 30-minute conversation is a good place to start.

Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Westpac IQ, NZ first impressions: NZIER QSBO September quarter 2026, 6 October 2026 (New Zealand, survey run 9 to 28 September). The testimonial is quoted word for word from the person named. Last updated 4 November 2026.

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