franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
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had one customer that was proving difficult and when I rang John, he gave
me suggestions about how it could be managed. In the end, we made the
decision to stop working at that property, and I felt comfortable doing that
without harming the V.I.P. brand.
“That’s what’s good about the support V.I.P. offers, you’ve got that back up for
problem-solving. It’s helped me get things running the way I want and I’m
very happy with my choice of franchise.”
Family time
So, does daughter Caitlin help out as promised?
“Caitlin is an expert on the edging and uses the push mower in narrower
spaces. She enjoys a bit more income on top of her main job and we both get
extra exercise. A bonus is that I’ve trimmed down to a much healthier weight
since starting the business,” Brent adds.
“It’s a healthy and less stressful business – in fact I love it,” smiles Brent. “I feel
I’m semi-retired but earning similar money to my previous job, and with V.I.P.’s
flat fee structure I’m earning far more than in my previous franchise.”
Wife Rachel is happy too – although Brent mentions there’s a hint of jealousy
when she arrives home from her school teaching job around 5pm.
“She is committed to her work and works hard but now I’m there to hear her
stories about the day’s challenges, which is good for both of us. Also, if my
daughter can’t make school pick-up or needs a hand unexpectedly with the
grandkids, I can usually help her out. I see a lot more of all the family than I
did when I left for work in the dark and came home in the dark – and I reckon
I will even have time to head out fishing after work this summer.”
Opportunities for every age and stage
V.I.P. offers two kinds of franchise – outdoor, lawns and gardening, and indoor,
home and office cleaning.
“V.I.P.’s franchise packages are designed to offer flexibility as well as financial
security for all our franchisees, whatever stage they’re at in life or where their
interests lie,” says Estelle Logan.
“We enjoy helping new franchisees like Brent find ways to make their
franchise investment work for both
their desired income and a better
family life. It’s important to us to be able
to support people in feeling confident
in running their own business, while
offering the security of help if
it’s needed.
“Call today to find out what
opportunities we have open for the
career change you’re hoping for.”
Early one afternoon we spoke to Brent Johnson who had already mown 14
lawns and was getting ready to knock off soon – despite the challenges of a
frosty winter morning.
“It’s been extremely cold for sure”, grins the hardy franchisee. “The first two
lawns I did this morning, it was white with all the frost and ice, but I use a
specialised Walker ride-on mower for most of the properties I work on, so I
got through it all okay,” he explains.
Almost 18 months ago, Brent exchanged his two-hour-a-day corporate
commute for a V.I.P. Home Services lawns and garden care franchise based in
Waiuku, South Auckland.
“Not having to travel outside my local area was top of my list when I was
thinking about my next steps after an early retirement offer. Then when my
youngest daughter Caitlin said, ‘why don’t you go lawnmowing again?’, I
started looking around for a close-to-home franchise. Caitlin even offered to
give me a hand,” Brent laughs.
Flexible package
Brent had a lawnmowing franchise with another company for seven years in
the early 2000s, so was familiar with franchising already. He was approached
by his former employer to become a Quarry Supervisor, which led to him
becoming the Quarry Manager three years later. Although an attractive
financial package it also meant 60-70 hours a week plus travel time of two
hours a day!
“V.I.P. appeared early when I started searching online and was also
recommended to me as they have a very good reputation. I was already
familiar with the brand because an acquaintance had bought and run
a successful V.I.P. franchise with John and Estelle Logan, the national
franchisors, some years prior.”
Brent appreciates the support John and Estelle have provided as he has
continued to grow his profitable business.
“The flexibility of the franchise package definitely appealed and it’s good that
with my existing experience in a lot of the skills needed, they could make it
work for me. We also worked together to have a V.I.P. purpose-built trailer
made to suit my round and ride-on machinery.”
Support that works for you
The advantages of an existing customer base and ongoing support were also
something Brent knew to be a big attraction in a franchise.
“Along with the online requests that come through the franchise website,
word-of-mouth referrals are important for me, especially during the slower
periods like winter. Word-of-mouth is how I heard about V.I.P., and that’s a
great way for people to find me and my local business too.”
Brent acknowledges that V.I.P. has been right there for him when required. “I
BOOT THE
COMMUTE
Opportunity: Home Services
V.I.P. Home Services franchisee
returns to a more flexible lifestyle,
with a little help from the family
V.I.P. Home Services
www.viphomeservices.co.nz
Contact
Nationwide Enquiries
0800 84 74 96
estelle@viphomeservices.nz
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