Hawkes Bay Regional Manager Profile Regional Manager: Mobile: Phone: Fax: email: Address: Ross & Linda Keats 027 220 2793 (06) 834 3404 0800 273 781 ross@crestclean.co.nz P.O. Box 7355 Napier 4141

There’s nothing like having grease under your fingernails to appreciate the value of cleaning. After a lifetime in trucking, Ross Keats is relishing the change. Lin Keats gave up an equally successful career in catering to join her husband as Hawke’s Bay’s first Master Franchisees and regional managers. With everything in front of them and fresh ground to break, both are keen for the challenge.

Ross started driving trucks at 18. All his life he knew nothing else. But as he neared 50 and shifted from Auckland to Napier he decided to opt out of working for someone else and freelanced.  With 17 years in Auckland’s catering industry, Lin had slipped effortlessly into a similar role in Napier, but the wheels were turning in Ross’ mind.

“I got on the computer one day, saying to Lin, ‘we need something that would set us up for the rest of our lives’.”

Scrolling through franchise opportunities, Ross narrowed the list to around ten.

 “Originally I looked at lawn mowing, but Crest seemed to stand out.”

Crest offered something different - an aspect that set them apart. It wasn’t the cleaning so much as the business opportunity  - the Keats saw the potential for a Master Franchise.  They met Crest’s managing director and within weeks, purchased Napier’s first Crest franchise in November 2005.

They may be newcomers to cleaning bur Ross believes it’s their ability and approach to customer service, which is finding clients in a new market.

“We enjoy a good relationship with our clients,” says Ross.  “We feel valued as part of their team because of the level of service we provide.”

“That is what I value – going the extra mile and giving more.”

While excellent service is vital, building contacts is what business is all about – and this is what Ross particularly savours – passing on information that helps others.

 “ I enjoy meeting new people. Having knowledge and expressing yourself in a such a way that they understand.  Some people don’t know what it takes to clean.  Once I break things down and explain what we do, they have a whole new understanding.”

As Master Franchisees Ross and Lin’s days are now more involved with management and building a team. They still clean at night, but Ross says as business grows they will gradually pass more work to new franchisees.

“It has given me a challenge.  Being self employed I love the fact Crest are doing all the Tax and GST. It lets you devote yourself back to the business.”

Look out Hawke’s Bay. Crest’s star is already shining brightly.