Solid Investment

Andrew Cutfield: ‘There are very few low-risk side hustles which can deliver this level of passive income’

Mizin’s high-quality cabins offer a healthy semi-passive income to franchisees

Andrew Cutfield admits that, despite all his banking and business experience, he is highly risk-averse. That’s why it took more than four years of looking for a ‘side hustle’ before he found Mizin. Six weeks later, he signed up and now, seven months later, is finding his Bay of Plenty portable cabin hire franchise in high demand.

For 10 years, Andrew was a rural banker. He then established an avocado orchard while being a management consultant, and now enjoys a semipassive income from his Mizin business, too.

‘I started by purchasing seven Mizin cabins and soon increased my investment to fourteen. All of them are let out at a weekly rental ranging from $85 to $150. The top rate is for one of Mizin’s recently-released 4.8 metre Rimu cabins, with a ranchslider door along the side. I’m soon going to take delivery of more cabins from Mizin’s manufacturing supplier and maintenance centre near Levin.

‘The product is good and the demand is certainly there throughout my territory, from Whakatane to Waihi Beach, with the Mizin website bringing in more enquiries every day. A Mizin cabin can be used as an extra bedroom, a home office separate from the house, a playroom for kids, a spray tanning booth, and a whole lot more. Once you’ve confirmed the hire, agreed the minimum hire period and sited the cabin, it’s out there working for you. There are very few low-risk side hustles which can deliver this level of passive income.

‘Going forward, I plan to focus on developing the franchise while my partner Fiona Syme handles customer service and we employ someone like a retired farmer to deliver and pick up cabins. This is a great opportunity for retirees or semi-retired, but equally it’s a highly profitable family business for younger generations. As you can imagine, with my background I did my due diligence pretty thoroughly and I think something like 100 self-funding Mizin cabins would generate income of $8,000 to $10,000 per week.’

Built to last

Mizin was founded eight years ago by Mary and Gordon Green, who believed that there was a gap in the market for a better quality cabin than was being offered by other companies. They were right – today there are 600-plus Mizin cabins hired out around the country.

‘To ensure our cabins are warm, dry and healthy, each is built on a steel base with extra thick insulation in the walls, ceiling, and floor cavity to retain heat and reduce noise,’ says Gordon. ‘The construction is robust in every sense, designed to survive severe knocks and not deteriorate or warp over time. The external vinyl cladding has a 50-year life guarantee and the framing is built to housing standards.

‘High-quality carpets, thermal-backed curtains, two sets of double plugs, 10-year fire alarm and electrical certification all come as standard, and there’s even a rear gutter and down-pipe, with deck and canopy. Mizin is a WINZ-approved accommodation provider and during the Covid lockdowns was considered an essential service.’

Another stand-out for franchisees has to be the self-propelled trailer for deliveries and pick-ups. Andrew explains, ‘More often than not, siting a portable cabin calls for tricky reversing. All I have to do is drive in, unhitch the trailer from my ute, switch on its electric motor and, using the remote, steer the cabin into position. Electric rams at each corner lift the cabin then lower it on to four corner-levelling stabilisers – simple. In really difficult situations, Mizin portable cabins are designed so they can be lifted into position by a Hiab or crane.’

Comprehensive package

Andrew says that he was impressed by Mary and Gordon from the very start. ‘They’ve done everything right, using the respected consultants at The Franchise Coach to create a fair and sustainable franchise model, and joining the Franchise Association of New Zealand. The result is that Mizin is a very complete and comprehensive package that includes online and on-site training, ongoing support, and tools for routine maintenance.’

Mary and Gordon Green are understandably proud of Andrew’s success and say he shares their business ethos, with family values reflecting the trust that their customers have in Mizin.

‘Our business model is simple, and encourages growth and development,’ says Gordon. ‘We offer a range of entry levels depending on the size of territory. For example, you can start in a greenfields territory from $275,000, which will include 10 cabins, the self-propelled trailer and an initial launch package to get you going. We also have opportunities to invest in existing company-owned businesses. Right now, for example, we have 20 cabins in Central Otago which accommodate seasonal workers, with plenty of opportunity for a local to grow the business further.

‘We already have franchisees in place in many parts of the country, but still have opportunities available in key areas. This is a semi-passive investment opportunity which offers franchisees an excellent return. Contact us today to find out more.’

Advertiser Info

Mizin

www.mizin.nz

Contact Gordon Green

M 0274 373 441

gordon.green@mizin.nz