What's next?

In the early 2000’s fashion designer Marianne Boonen was asking herself, ‘What’s next?’ Then in 2003, Marianne took her design talents into an entirely different industry, as she and her partner George Clarke became Kitchen Studio’s Tauranga franchisees. 

“I knew I could grow into designing kitchens but fast-tracked my skills by gaining the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) NZ Diploma in Kitchen Design. We surrounded ourselves with a wonderful team to call on – designers and all the trades it takes to seamlessly deliver bespoke kitchens.” 

After over a decade in business together, tragedy struck. In his 60’s and a smoker, George lost his life to lung cancer.

Looking for a fresh start

Marianne plunged herself into her work, “After George died, I started looking for a fresh start. I bought the Kitchen Studio Hamilton business in 2017, when the previous franchisees retired after 22 years. For the next few years, I ran both the Tauranga and Hamilton franchises, splitting my time between a Mt Maunganui townhouse and accommodation I built above the Hamilton showroom. 

“Coincidentally, 2017 was the first year Kitchen Studio was voted New Zealand’s most trusted kitchen brand in the Readers Digest awards. Kitchen Studio has since held this title nine years in a row – it’s a powerful marketing tool for us franchisees. And yes, clients do trust us, often coming back time and time again. I’m sure our Total Trust Guarantee, a 10-year transferable warranty on all kitchens, reinforces this trust.”

A real surprise

Life moved on for Marianne, “In 2022 I sold the Tauranga franchise to focus on Hamilton, purchasing a lifestyle block on the city outskirts. This year, at the annual Kitchen Studio

Conference and Gala Awards, I was named 2025 Kitchen Studio Franchisee of the Year.

“This was a real surprise, as bigger city franchisees usually win this honour rather than medium-size businesses like ours. It’s great for my team and other more modestly sized franchises to know that by doing the small stuff well, we can achieve great things.   

“The Kitchen Studio brand is well known and trusted, but I feel that what isn’t as well known is just how much we can do. All our kitchens are bespoke. We visit clients’ homes to get a true feeling for what they want. We create the design, then project manage all the way to a ready-to-enjoy kitchen – overseeing cabinetry manufacture and organising and coordinating up to a dozen tradies. Finally, we quality audit the finished kitchen installation.”

Renovations. Renovations. Renovations

Marianne describes Kitchen Studio Hamilton’s core business as ‘renovations, renovations, renovations,’ explaining that most of their current work is coming from older housing suburbs, attracting young first-home buyers to homes whose kitchens need replacing. 

Looking to the future, Marianne is considering opening a satellite store in her area, but she encourages new franchisees to join the Kitchen Studio brand too, “My background in design and sales helped, but all you really need is the desire to make a positive difference to how your clients live and to surround yourself with good people.”

Automatic shareholding for franchisees in the franchisor company is a unique and financially rewarding benefit that Marianne says shouldn’t be overlooked. “This gives us direct access to Board directors to share ideas and voice any concerns we may have. The more successful franchisees are, the bigger our dividends.” 

Investment in an exclusive territory starts from around $150,000, with access to additional capital required for premises, showroom fit out and start-up capital, although Kitchen Studio’s 40+ year reputation helps with obtaining finance.

Kitchen Studio’s CEO Dawn Engelbrecht says, “The time’s never been better for an individual, couple or partnership to answer their own ‘What’s next? – so call me now to find out more.”     

See this advertorial on page 28 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 34 Issue 2

Contact details for Kitchen Studio

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