Local support key to business award

 

It was a night of celebration for Mangawhai business couple Cameron and Katie Brooks at the 21st Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards held in Auckland on November 14.

Their business V.I.P. Lawns & Gardens Mangawhai was named winner of the Home Services Best Franchisee Award.

Richard & Sheila Logan, regional Master Franchise for Bay of Plenty were finalists in the Master Franchise category.

V.I.P. Home Services have won an impressive 15 awards since 2002. New Zealand National Franchisors John and Estelle Logan said they were extremely honoured and proud of their franchisees and accomplishments as the standard and quality of entries increases each year.

The gala dinner event was attended by over 270 people along with Hon. Craig Floss, Minister for Small Business, who congratulated all finalists and winners by saying “you are not prepared to accept mediocrity but demonstrate excellence of service to your customers.”

Cameron (who has an MBA) and Katie left the corporate world and joined V.I.P. at the end of November 2011.

Their desire to relocate to a small town where the values were on community and a slower pace of life turned into reality when they purchased their new V.I.P. Lawns & Garden business.

“It’s been the best decision we’ve ever made,” smiles Cameron “and we’d do it again in a heartbeat. The people of Mangawhai have welcomed us and supported the growth of our business. Tonight’s win is the icing on the cake and it has been achieved through hard work, determination, strong support and the best franchise system available.”

Judges praised the couple for their well-written concise entry, saying their clarity and awareness about their business, and the factors required for good business performance, were demonstrated throughout their application.

VALUES: Cameron and Katie Brooks celebrate the growth and success of their lawn and garden franchise.