Central Otago franchise team cleans up in first year with Rookie Franchise of the Year Award
Joe and Emily Bermejo have quickly made a name for themselves as successful business owners in Central Otago. Having purchased their CrestClean franchise just last October, they’ve already achieved remarkable success and were recently awarded the region’s Rookie Franchise of the Year.
Prior to CrestClean, Joe had worked in a dairy farm for 10 years and Emily worked in Community Support. The demanding nature of Joe’s work often left him with limited time for family.
“Joe worked from dark to dark. He’d leave early in the morning and come home late in the evening,” says Emily.
Living in Canterbury and earning minimum wage, Joe and Emily were determined to improve their family’s circumstances. When a Canterbury franchise owner told the couple about their success with CrestClean, Joe and Emily found the perfect opportunity to become business owners and maximise their earning potential.
“Joe wanted to get out of the dairy farm. Working on the farm, renting and being on the minimum wage was really hard,” says Emily
“We knew we had to relocate to reach our goals.”
The decision to purchase a CrestClean franchise led Joe and Emily to relocate to the picturesque town of Cromwell in Central Otago. With a more balanced work-life schedule and the opportunity for substantial growth, their new chapter has been filled with positive change.
“It’s given us a great work-life balance. During school holidays we can adjust our hours to have more family time. That’s the most important thing,” says Emily.
In less than a year, Joe and Emily have secured a steady customer base that includes schools, early childcare centres and offices. Joe has already upskilled to offer carpet cleaning, allowing him to provide comprehensive cleaning services to his customers.
Earning their spot as the Rookie Franchise of the Year recognises Joe and Emily as a dedicated franchise team with a willingness to go the extra mile. They have established strong customer relationships and deliver a consistently high standard across the board.
“My husband has always been hard working. He’s very friendly and down to earth. We work to a high standard, and we get good feedback from our customers,” says Emily.
“We’re finally happy. We were so surprised to get the award, but it showed that all our hard work is paying off.”
Joe and Emily are working as hard as they can to reach their goal of purchasing a home. The successful path they’re on shows they are well on their way to achieving their dream.
Regional Master Franchisee, Danny Mastroianni, says Joe and Emily have shown great commitment and taken the time to build strong relationships with their customers.
“I am so proud to have this amazing team working with me and I am sure they will be a serious candidate every year for Best Franchise of the Year.”
