FAST GROWTH

When Leon Chen left South China in 2014 to study business management in Auckland, he intended returning home to start his own business. But opportunities in New Zealand meant a change of plans.  

To supplement living costs, Leon worked part-time for an Auckland-based Paramount Cleaning franchise. Little did he know this would eventually lead to his becoming one of Paramount’s most successful commercial and residential cleaning franchisees and the first to sign up in 2025 when Paramount diversified into gardening care.

“I was appointed manager of a Waikato service station and having become good friends with my Paramount Cleaning boss, we kept in touch. But after two years, it still came as a surprise when he invited me to buy his franchise. Keen to get into business for myself, I said ‘yes’!

“Over the past seven years, I have transformed the business into one of Paramount’s leading and largest cleaning franchises. I largely achieved this by taking on specialised work like carpet and hard-floor cleaning as well as window cleaning, plus I focused on handling bigger commercial contracts and more residential contracts, hiring and training staff to service them.

“When the new Gardening franchise opportunity turned up, I jumped at that too,” says Leon. “There’s a great deal of potential business, especially as the work must be done to the same high standards that have made Paramount one of New Zealand’s largest, most trusted residential and commercial cleaning organisations.”

Diversification an obvious move

“Diversification into gardening was an obvious move, as we kept getting asked to do it,” explains Hein Visser, Paramount Gardening’s Operations Manager. “Our loyal customers like the way we operate and appreciate the detail we apply. Even in Central Auckland, many large commercial businesses, such as banks, have a surprising amount of green space to maintain. We couldn’t keep turning them down, so now our franchisees have a further business opportunity that, as Leon has proven, is very profitable.

“We work on the basis that the client is always right,” says Hein, “and we do everything to keep them happy. We make a huge investment in our franchisees through training, making sure everyone is up to scratch and meets our first-class customer service standards.”

Paramount Lawn Mowing and Garden Care provides the opportunity to purchase a franchise and a 12-month revenue guarantee, commencing two months after the franchise begins. The franchise fee is $10,000 + GST. Access to further finance is necessary for equipment and also to purchase or lease a suitable sign written van or ute that acts as a very effective mobile advertisement for the business.

A profitable niche

Leon reports with justifiable pride that many of his commercial cleaning clients are now also gardening clients. He says there is a profitable niche maintaining green areas in many of Auckland’s apartment buildings.

“These gardens can be quite difficult to access but our equipment quality and reliability is first class thanks to Paramount’s preferred supplier agreement with Sthil, a world leader in battery powered garden tools.” 

Having accepted the opportunity to be Paramount’s first Gardening franchisee, Leon spent a bit of time working alongside a hospital gardening team to gain some practical experience in commercial gardening.

 “That hands-on experience really helped me figure things out at the beginning. Now, the training is so thorough, and on-going business support so well established that a potential Paramount Gardening franchisee doesn’t need green fingers to grow a successful business. But they should start out with a degree of fitness and be prepared to undertake the training to achieve NZQA Level 2 in Horticulture.”

Growing business and family

“Paramount support makes owning and growing three franchises so much easier,” explains Leon. “For franchisees to better focus on building their businesses, the Paramount team handles all invoicing and fees. They also help with recruiting for new clients and sending these to franchisees as confirmed work or leads and referrals. Although the franchisor can make funding available to approved franchisees, you need to contribute at least 35% of the total revenue guarantee purchase price from your own funds.”

Leon’s commitment to business success in New Zealand has not come at the expense of lifestyle. Through the Chinese community he met and married Bella, the couple welcomed the arrival of son Jasper three years ago and have bought a home in Botany. Bella also provides valuable admin support and occasional cleaning or gardening assistance for the growing businesses.

“Most lawns and gardens in New Zealand grow year-round,” remarks Leon. “For commercial premises, that means green areas need regular maintenance to be kept tidy and smart. As well as mowing, a Paramount gardening franchise can also offer tree pruning, pest control, hedge care, edge trimming, shrub and flower care.”

Not unexpectantly, Leon is taking full advantage of these multiple income streams to generate income well exceeding his expectations.

The final word is from Hein, who welcomes calls from potential Paramount Gardening franchisees from throughout New Zealand. “I’d love to hear from potential franchisees and further explain how Paramount Gardening provides the key to future business success.”  

See this advertorial on page 45 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 35 Issue 03

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