Ten years after buying a CrestClean franchise, Tepuke and Patisepa Pola are proud to be mortgage free.
The Kāpiti Coast franchisees are now looking to upsize their home, which they share with their six daughters.
“CrestClean has given me a lot of opportunity to support my family, and we are very happy,” says Tepuke.
Originally from Tuvalu, he worked as a bosun’s mate on a Wellington to Picton ferry for almost 20 years, finishing in April this year to concentrate fully on his CrestClean business which he bought in 2012.
“The time was right. Now I can see my family every day. I can take the kids to school and play lots of outdoor games with them, and just enjoy being with my family,” he says.
On the ferry, Tepuke would work 12-hours shifts, spending seven days at sea at a time. While he was at sea, Patisepa and their four employees would work in the CrestClean business.
Now Tepuke works in his business fulltime, alongside Patisepa, and their two eldest daughters, Elizabeth and Teuasina.
“When I look at the money I receive from my business, it’s more than my pay on the ship. And I could never sleep well on the ship, especially if the weather was bad… this is better for me and my family and I’m a very happy man now. I can control the hours I work,” says Tepuke.
“It took just 10 years to pay off the mortgage. My mates on the ship are still paying off their mortgages. They are still going, but I’m done, and now I’m looking for another one.”
Kāpiti Coast Regional Master Franchisee, Shareen Raj, says Tepuke and Patispea provide a high-quality service and always deal with their customers in a very professional manner.
“They are an awesome team to work with and their customers value their hard work. And, if there are any issues, they take whatever action is needed to rectify them promptly,” says Shareen.
“Their positive and enthusiastic attitude is the key to their success and I am sure they have many more successful years ahead.”
