Business is booming but still time for family
Being a franchisee gives Dimple and Joe Singh plenty of time for their daughter Avleen.
Joe Singh was on track for a successful career with Countdown.
Now he’s counting his blessings that he took the plunge to purchase a CrestClean franchise – and life has never been better for Joe and his wife Dimple.
The Rotorua couple are first-time parents and say having their own business gives them plenty of flexibility, and importantly a lot of quality time to spend with 1-year-old daughter Avleen.
Joe had a well-paid job for the supermarket chain as a retail manager at stores throughout the North Island. But long hours in the job, and with his wife also working shifts at a service station, he soon realised their work life balance was out of kilter.
“We wanted something with a better work-life balance and something that we could work together in as well,” said Joe.
Joe and Dimple joined Crest in 2013. They bought their franchise after meeting Bill Douglas, Crest’s Regional Manager for Rotorua, Whakatane and Taupo.
“Everything worked in a positive manner and Bill was great,” said Joe.
“We didn’t want to drop our income level. I was on a really good salary with Countdown.”
The ambitious couple have set their sights on adding to their franchise.
“We definitely want to carry on building up our business. I’m really happy with the cashflow.”
And they are impressed with the “affordable” lifestyle in Rotorua and are about to buy their first home.
“We are happy to stay in the region and we have no plans for anything except for growing our business,” added Joe, who has a post graduate diploma in business studies.
Being business owners gives the couple the ability to better manage their time, they say.
“Dimple can stay with baby most of the time as I have two employees who help me,” added Joe.
And they can switch roles to suit the family’s needs. “Last Friday I stayed at home and Dimple went to work,” said Joe.
“I can spend a lot of time with baba when I want to. It works out really well and gives us plenty of family time.
“Before we joined Crest I couldn’t have done Dimple’s work and she couldn’t have done mine.”
Joe is also a CrestClean Regional Induction Trainer and says he loves passing on his experiences to Crest’s newcomers.
“I want them to be successful franchisees like ourselves.”
So, what would be a top tip he could pass on to new franchisees?
Going the extra mile makes a big difference, he said.
For example, when one of his customers has an occasional after-work function Joe and Dimple will clean up without charging extra.
“You have to think out of the square to keep the client happy. At the end of the day, if the client was not there we would be jobless.”
Bill said Joe and Dimple are fantastic franchisees.
“They have worked very hard on their business and are a credit,” he said.
“Joe does all our carpet cleaning and also does our Pure Water Window Cleaning as well as most of any additional work that may come in.”
