On Top Of The World

24-year-old Jesse Truscott has his feet firmly on the ground

Young man learns to create business success through his V.I.P. franchise

Jesse Guscott says starting a new business is a bit like jumping out of a plane. ‘It’s scary at first, but then it’s just cool and you see the world in a whole new way.’ And Jesse would know – the young skydiving enthusiast was just 22 when he bought his V.I.P. Home Services franchise in Mount Maunganui two years ago, and says the business has more than exceeded his expectations.

‘I’ve built it to the point where I’m working a very full nine days per fortnight and turning over $12,000 a month. Everything that V.I.P. told me would happen has happened. It’s working really well and I’d do it again, absolutely.’ Why nine days? ‘The tenth day, I go skydiving,’ he grins.

Support from the start

Jesse went into the building industry after leaving school, ‘But I wanted to be my own boss and not have to run to someone else’s schedule,’ he says. ‘I looked at a lot of things, and I reckoned starting on my own would be a hard road. Good franchises have the platform in place for success, and V.I.P. seemed to be the best of the lot. They offer a customer base from the start, and an income guarantee after four weeks of paid training, which is really valuable if you want to get started in business for the first time.

‘I like the structure of V.I.P. and I reckon their franchise fees are very fair compared to other franchises. Also, they are very easy to talk to, and I’ve felt very supported right from the beginning.’

V.I.P. Home Services offers two different types of franchise: outdoor (lawnmowing, gardening and outside jobs) or indoor (all types of cleaning). Jesse chose outdoors and started with 80 clients. Like many V.I.P. franchisees, he found that the brand name and referrals from happy customers enabled him to double his customer base quite quickly.

‘I was quite lucky with timing as it was all during Covid, but I got my training in with local area manager Shane Barber just before the second lockdown. Shane made sure I was on top of all the tricks of the trade, was very easy to get along with and no questions were too silly. It was pretty smooth!

A great education

Jesse attributes his success to his parents, Jason and Vicky. ‘They farmed in the South Waikato for 30-plus years before semi-retiring to the Mount. Mum helped me with all the details of tax and things early on, and Dad has always been there with both practical and financial advice.’

Two years after launching himself into business, Jesse feels in a very different place. ‘It has been a great education – when I started, I was quite nervous about quoting and talking to customers but I’ve gained a lot of confidence and it’s a lot easier than the early days.

‘I think the hardest thing to learn was juggling my time, coming home tired then doing invoices and taking calls – it’s not like working nine-to-five and being able to close the door! So I had to push myself a bit at the start, but the rewards are there once you get into a good routine.

‘Lawnmowing is the bulk of my business, but I’ve developed a bit of a specialist interest in hedges. ‘So one of my first questions when I’m asked to quote for a lawn is, “Do you have a hedge?” I wouldn’t say they are easy money, but they suit me as I enjoy creating a neat professional look. It’s quite lucrative, too. ‘

If you have a good work ethic, you can build a big business from a small one with V.I.P, make a good income and enjoy a good healthy lifestyle. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it – the franchise has the platform, the support and all the tools in place for you to succeed.’

Jesse says he is very happy doing what he wants for the present. ‘This is going so well, so I don’t know if it will be a stepping-stone to another business, or to expanding and taking on employees. Maybe by the time I reach my 30s I’ll have a clearer idea, but for now V.I.P. is just right for me!’

Seizing opportunities

V.I.P. has always prided itself on looking after and nurturing its franchisees, says Estelle Logan who, with her husband John, is the company’s national franchisor for New Zealand.

‘We love seeing someone like Jesse succeeding,’ says Estelle. ‘He is a great example of a younger man seeing the opportunity that V.I.P. offers to step into and learn about business, and he has seized it with both hands. It’s yet another example of how the tried and trusted V.I.P. system delivers to franchisees.

‘We have both indoor and outdoor opportunities available in most parts of the country right now, with a wide range of investment levels. No matter what your age or where you live, you can choose the level you start at and enjoy the security of a customer base and an income guarantee while you are getting established.

'Give us a call and find out more!'

Advertiser Info

V.I.P. Home Services

www.viphomeservices.co.nz

Contact Nationwide Enquiries P 0800 84 74 96

Estelle@viphomeservices.nz