After 20 years selling fruit and vegetables, Alan Meredith thought he knew all about self-employment. ‘Retailing is hard work and you work very long hours, too. But now I'm a VIP lawnmowing franchisee I still have my own business and I'm home before sundown. My family like that,' he laughs. 

Alan came from Australia 20 years ago ‘on holiday - I just never went back! Two years ago, I decided I needed a change from the shop and researched franchises that would get me out into the sunshine. VIP stood out because they were up front and seemed very honest. I was impressed by that and, after two years of growing the business with their support, I know it was all true.

‘The training was good - first class, in fact - and VIP have taken the hard work out of the marketing. You get all the clients you need to start with and from that base it is quite easy to grow as you want. A lot of business comes from word-of-mouth now.'

Alan is very pleased with the way his business has progressed. ‘I don't have any complaints at all,' he says. ‘Inevitably things wind down a bit in the winter, but as I am happy to undertake any kind of outdoor work I'm rarely too quiet. There is plenty of growth to be had here and ultimately I would like to employ a couple of people. Keeping customers happy is the key to success. When I bought this franchise I expected hard work and sunshine. Well, I've got all that and I'd certainly do it again.'

Two Franchises, One Quality

VIP offers two franchises: lawnmowing with gardening (outdoors) and home and office cleaning (indoors). The investment ranges between $11,000 and $19,000+gst and equipment, depending on the level of income required. ‘The VIP franchise system is approaching 37 years in business,' says Estelle Logan who, with her husband John, is national franchisee for VIP in NZ. ‘Over that time we have perfected our system to allow our franchisees to become masters of their own destinies. VIP regularly wins franchise awards both here and in Australia, which reflects our reputation for quality and value. It's an approach which applies both to our clients and our franchisees.'

Too Good To Leave

Ken and Margaret Hallaway know just how good the VIP approach is, having experienced life without it. The couple first bought a VIP home cleaning franchise in 2002, after Ken was made redundant from his position of procurement officer with Auckland Hospital. ‘Any redundancy can be a bit of a blow but especially at my age,' he says. ‘However we had some good luck on our side and through VIP were able to turn it to great advantage.'

Ken's wife, Margaret, had met Estelle Logan. ‘I was taken both with Estelle's practical manner and the professionalism of the VIP company,' she says. ‘Ken and I realised that if we took up a franchise we could fulfil two dreams - work together and have our own business.'

‘Some of our friends and family thought we were a bit daft,' admits Ken. ‘After 30 years doing a desk job there I was setting out to do manual work. I have to admit it was a bit of a struggle at first, but I'm a runner and still do half-marathons so actually it was good for me. It was the muscles that I didn't use in running that needed the exercise.'

Ken and Margaret quickly established their franchise in the Auckland suburb of Hillsborough and built up a satisfying and profitable business. But after three years, they thought that maybe the time had come to move on to something else. ‘So we sold up and looked at a different type of franchise that was less physical,' says Ken. ‘Quite frankly, we must have had a bit of a brainstorm because the other business simply didn't work. We backed out and eight weeks later I asked if we could come back into VIP.'

‘We had no hesitation in welcoming Ken and Margaret back,' says Estelle. ‘They have a really good work ethic and their customers loved them. It so happened that franchise territories in their old area were being adjusted anyway so we were delighted.' Ken and Margaret re-joined VIP, and to obvious mutual delight ended up with some of their old customers. ‘I am so glad we are back,' smiles Ken. ‘Thanks to VIP, our later working years have been really good and provide us with real security. That's allowing us to plan a big trip to Europe in three years.'

Estelle Logan says that age is no barrier to success as a VIP franchisee. ‘Alan, Ken, Margaret and many others have proved that. As long as you're reasonably fit, you can build a business of your own whatever your age. There's a lot of flexibility in working for yourself so you can enjoy life to the full.'

And Ken sums it up: ‘If you are prepared to go the extra mile, establish a good rapport and be punctual, VIP is a splendid business to be in - whatever your age.'

This advertorial is taken from Franchise New Zealand magazine Volume 16 Issue 3

Contact details for VIP Home Services

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