4 minute read
THE SMART CHOICE
Pukeko Rental Managers lets you change career with an award-winning business opportunity
In a former life, Karl Jackson was both a primary and a secondary teacher. In one particular job, he had the opportunity to get involved in property management for the school, along with managing its IT systems and security. Five years ago, he started looking for a way to apply his problem-solving, people and communication skills in a business of his own. He explored the building, homes, and property management sectors, and discovered Pukeko Rental Managers on the Franchise New Zealand website.
Pukeko offers property owners a high quality, personal, property management service with a rental guarantee scheme which helps it stand out from the competition. Founded in 2010, it has over 30 franchisees around the country, who also offer property maintenance management.
For franchisees, it’s a low-cost way to start your own business, with opportunities available from just $18,500 +gst. Instead of a traditional office-based, multi-tier management structure, Pukeko franchisees operate from home, cutting down overheads while using intelligent and well-supported cloud-based systems. It’s a combination that saw the company named Westpac Supreme Franchise System of the Year in 2019.
Everything I wanted
‘For me, Pukeko ticked all the boxes,’ says Karl. ‘The franchise would provide me with all the training, operational processes and promotion I needed to get started, as well as the support to develop my skills as I grew the business.’
Karl met David Pearse, the founder of Pukeko Rental Managers, and also talked to an experienced Pukeko franchisee. Having seen the passion that they had for the property management industry, and how franchisees support each other, he then got professional advisors to look at the figures and the franchise agreement. Checks complete, he signed up for his East Auckland franchise with total confidence.
From rookie to rewards
David Pearse delivers full training to new franchisees in person, covering all the aspects of property management, how to use Pukeko’s bespoke software, and how to interact with clients. Karl was impressed: ‘There is full guidance, education, and support on the sales side, too, so the training and following the process gave me the skills I needed to begin a successful business. This means no worries if you lack experience in computers, sales, or maintenance – all you need is the personal motivation to get out there, meet people and build a strong network.’
And that’s exactly what Karl did, using the Pukeko framework to create a highly successful and rewarding business. Since starting in 2019, he has won numerous awards within the franchise, including Tenant Satisfaction 2022, Operational Excellence 2023 and Property Manager of the Year 2023, as well as being named the national Residential Property Managers Association (RPMA) Regional Property Manager of the Year.
He’s also given back, becoming part of Pukeko’s Franchise Advisory Council to help and represent other franchisees, and being part of the RPMA Council.
Words of advice
Karl’s advice to anyone keen to change their own career and join Pukeko is to conduct full due diligence, ask tons of questions and think about what you are good at.
‘Speak to existing Pukeko franchisees to get a true picture of what it’s like to be a property manager. Property management relies on being able to build great relationships with owners, tenants, and contractors, so you need great communication skills.
‘You also must be organised,’ he adds. ‘If you can organise your day successfully, and prioritise, then Pukeko Rental Managers could be for you. After almost five years, I am very pleased with my new career. Pukeko is a great opportunity, backed by award-winning processes, and it’s enabled me to build a great business.’
David says that there are currently opportunities for new Pukeko Rental Managers franchises in many parts of the country. ‘Karl and our other franchisees have shown what can be done, so if you’re ready for a change and think you have what it takes, contact me personally and find out more.’
Advertiser Info
Pukeko Rental Managers
www.pukekorentalmanagers.co.nz
Contact David Pearse
P 0508 785 356 M 0274 809 534
