Tony and Nicky reflect on a remarkable 15 years as Dunedin Regional Managers
Fifteen years ago, Tony and Nicky Kramers took a leap that would reshape not only their own future, but the entire Dunedin region for CrestClean. What began during one of the busiest chapters of their lives with two little boys aged just 1 and 4 has grown into one of CrestClean’s strongest regions.
At just 29, Tony made the bold decision to leave a secure role as a General Sales Manager in the automotive industry and step into something completely new. With determination (and a bit of youthful courage), he backed himself to build a business that could create long term security for his family.
“I don’t know what I was thinking to be fair,” Tony laughs. “But I saw an opportunity to build something of our own – something that could shape our future.”
What he didn’t know then was just how big a role Nicky would play in that journey.
In the early years, Tony managed the region alone, juggling long days with the demands of young family life. But as the region began to grow rapidly, Nicky stepped in and everything changed.
Her organisational strength, people first leadership, and ability to bring calm to chaos became the backbone of the business. Together, they navigated school runs, kindy pickups, late night calls, and the steep learning curve of running a fast growing operation.
“It was a crazy time,” Tony says.
“But having Nicky come on board was a turning point. We were learning together, building together, and pushing through every challenge as a team.”
No story of the Dunedin region’s success is complete without acknowledging Antoine Zoghbi, who has been a key part of the leadership team for the past 10 years.
As Operations Manager, Antoine has played a crucial role in supporting franchisees, maintaining high standards, and helping the region scale sustainably. His loyalty, consistency, and deep operational knowledge have been instrumental in shaping the strong, stable region CrestClean Dunedin is today. Tony and Nicky credit much of their success to the people around them and Antoine has been one of the pillars.
From just nine franchisees in the beginning, the Dunedin region has grown nearly ninefold under Tony and Nicky’s leadership. Today, they support 45 franchisees. Their success isn’t just measured in numbers it’s reflected in the people they’ve supported, the businesses they’ve helped build, and the long standing relationships they’ve formed across Dunedin, Balclutha & Oamaru.
Local businesses have backed them wholeheartedly, recognising the value of a region that is truly locally owned, locally invested, and locally committed.
For Tony, the best part of the job is the variety, no two days are ever the same. But for both Tony and Nicky, it’s the people who have made the biggest impact. Many of the faces they met 15 years ago are still part of their journey today.
With their boys now 16 and 19, life looks very different from those early days. The long hours and sacrifices have paid off, giving their family the balance and stability they dreamed of when they first took the leap.
“It was a good decision,” Tony reflects.
“It’s given us a great work life balance and a business we’re incredibly proud of.
Tony and Nicky remain deeply grateful for the support they received early on especially from CrestClean CEO Grant McLauchlan, who recognised their potential from the start.
“Grant really supported us and made it work for us,” says Tony.
“Without that support in those early years, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
