Ballance Reporoa recognises Bernadeth’s outstanding service and commitment
Bernadeth Grutas has earned a reputation for going above and beyond – something her customers and regional team have recognised with two Certificates of Excellence.
Taupō Regional Manager Kelsey Gibson presented Bernadeth with a Certificate of Excellence alongside Ballance Reporoa Site Manager Greg Dick after he gave her a perfect 10/10 in their customer satisfaction survey. She also received a second Certificate of Excellence for her work at Anamata Charitable Trust.
The recognition follows another achievement for Bernadeth and her husband Jamil, who were named Taupō Franchise of the Year last year.
Humble about the recognition, Bernadeth says she was flattered to receive the awards.
“Greg is so nice. I’m so happy about the great feedback,” she says.
Since taking over the cleaning at Ballance Reporoa in May 2025, Bernadeth has been responsible for keeping the kitchen, offices, bathrooms and communal areas spotless every Wednesday. Although she is only on site once a week, Greg says she has made a lasting impression on everyone she works with.
“Bernie’s very jovial – very easy to get along with. She just gets on and does the work.”
Greg also values Bernadeth’s reliability and professionalism. He knows she will arrive on time, follow the site’s health and safety requirements, and always be a pleasure to work with. He also appreciates the support from the regional team and the regular check-ins from CrestClean’s head office.
“Bernie’s very punctual and easy to deal with,” he says. “She does all the right health and safety standards for what we require.”
“The sales team is also very good and the follow-up from head office is regular. It’s a very good team, right from head office to the lady at the coalface doing the work.”
Bernadeth has been a CrestClean franchise owner for nearly three years and now works full-time in her business. Her husband Jamil helps with the evening cleaning after finishing his full-time job on a local Reporoa farm. When his workday ends at 6pm, Jamil changes into his CrestClean uniform and heads straight out to join Bernadeth. Together they clean four schools and several commercial sites, often finishing around 10.30pm before heading home and doing it all again the next day.
But Bernadeth doesn’t mind the late nights. As her own boss, she can sleep in for as long as she likes – a big change from her previous job picking tomatoes, where she had to be at work by 7am.
For Bernadeth, the greatest reward from owning a franchise is the extra time she has with her family. As the mother of two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, she values the flexibility that comes with owning her own business and the opportunity to spend more time with her children.
