Last week Dean Di Bona was awarded a pin of recognition by BMNZ CEO Sarah Trotman for his decade long support
of over 25 businesses in the Wairarapa/Martinborough area.
As a Business Mentor Dean receives no pay or share in any of the companies’ profits. The sole motivation is to support SME New Zealand businesses to succeed.
As a mentor Dean brings a diverse background spanning construction, military leadership, and cross-industry advisory. Originally a building business owner, Dean first engaged with BMNZ which led him to give back as a mentor himself.
With an early career as an officer in the Australian military, Dean brings a leadership style grounded in collaboration, adaptability, and respect for expertise over hierarchy. This approach underpins his mentoring work, where he positions himself not as an authority, but as a guide walking alongside business owners to help them navigate challenges and make confident decisions.
Dean has worked with a wide range of businesses across sectors including agriculture, hospitality, retail, civil engineering, and importing.
At the core of Dean’s philosophy are two key drivers of success: aspiration and belief. He believes that while many businesses encounter practical obstacles, the real breakthroughs often come from building confidence, clarity, and momentum. By helping clients break down complex goals into achievable steps, Dean empowers them to move forward with purpose and resilience.
Passionate about supporting New Zealand’s small business community, Dean sees mentoring as a vital tool for unlocking potential, not just for individual businesses, but for the wider economy.
