A Business to Be Proud Of

It was a friend who first introduced Tao (Wendy) Li and Jianwen Cao to the Cleantastic business opportunity two decades ago. Jianwen says their primary motivation for taking a closer look at the franchise back then was to learn how to successfully run a business in New Zealand. He already had a successful career in engineering to reflect upon, but the ultimate dream had always been for he and Wendy to work together on building their own business. They knew this could enable them to take full control of their long-term future.

The Auckland-based couple believe they couldn’t have chosen a better vehicle for achieving their dream than Cleantastic. It’s a franchise known for taking great pride in developing motivated individuals into successful business owners, they say. It’s also a business that has an entry cost lower than many other opportunities in New Zealand’s competitive home and commercial cleaning industry.

Asked how they feel about reaching their 20-year Service Excellence Award milestone this year, the couple say winning the award truly validates the success of the Cleantastic franchise for them. It’s a business that delivers long-term stability and growth, and over two decades, that’s exactly what it has done for them, they say.

‘Achieving the Service Excellence Award makes us feel very happy and very proud,’ says Jianwen.

Wendy and Jianwen’s business spans Auckland City, Penrose and East Tamaki. And, when they look back over the past two decades, they can see how the rate at which they’ve been able to expand their business has been both remarkable and immensely satisfying.

‘We’ve achieved our milestones and goals because we’ve been able to specialise in all kinds of commercial cleaning work,’ explains Jianwen.
It also helps to have a positive attitude towards the job, he adds. ‘It’s important that we both work hard to satisfy our customers. This is not a business that suits just anybody.’

You choose

Cleantastic has almost 300 franchisees across New Zealand. It was the winner of the Business-to-Business Franchise System of the Year title at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise

Awards in 2022. It is a franchise that attributes its success to its highly effective support system. New franchisees are encouraged to first thoroughly learn the business and gain confidence at their own pace. When they’re ready, they expand to take on more hours and more work, moving gradually towards full time, as and when suits them. Cleantastic is committed to franchisees feeling comfortable at every step of their journey.

Prior experience in the cleaning industry is not mandatory and thorough training is provided. An ability to put clients’ cleaning needs first, a positive attitude and good communication skills ensures success, as Jianwen and Wendy have discovered.

Learn business skills, generate income

With Cleantastic, the entry level cost is lower than many comparable cleaning franchises. Prices start from as little as $23,200 +gst, which includes all necessary equipment. There is also finance available (subject to some conditions).

A new franchise comes with a guarantee of income for 24 months. This gives a franchisee the potential to more than double their investment in their first two years of business – an offer that reflects Cleantastic’s confidence and experience. The hours are flexible, meaning many new franchisees stay in their existing employment while they gradually build up their own Cleantastic business.                                      

Training includes how to invoice clients and collect payments, which Wendy and Jianwen feel is preferable to paying higher fees for a franchisor to do this for them. So, while you are cleaning, you are also learning valuable business skills.

Peace of mind for challenging times

With various franchise opportunities available within New Zealand’s busy commercial cleaning sector, Cleantastic is a system that provides its franchisees peace of mind across all aspects of the business, from training to health and safety, as well as covering environmental or insurance issues. Important considerations for any new business owner, these aspects of being a small operator starting out can create stress and waste time. Having an excellent franchise system like Cleantastic behind them allows franchisees to focus on their work.

Cleantastic has also worked proactively with MBIE and the Labour Inspectorate to develop robust systems which help franchisees employ staff with confidence.

Expansion on their minds

For Jianwen and Wendy, the future of their Auckland business centres around one word – growth. ‘My goal is to quickly expand my business,’ says Jianwen, ‘and I know the team at Cleantastic will help us every step of the way.’ If they hadn’t invested in their own Cleantastic business, he says they know life would not be anywhere as satisfying as it is now.

If you’re keen to hear how you could follow Jianwen and Wendy’s path to success through a Cleantastic franchise, get in touch today – it could change your life.    

See this advertorial on page 29 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 33 Issue 2

Contact details for Cleantastic

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