While many of his family and friends have been unable to work during Covid Alert Levels 3 and 4, CrestClean business owner Ankush Bhandari’s income has increased by a third.
“I feel very lucky. Lots of my family and friends can’t work at the moment. It’s a hard time for them, but I’m looking after them,” says the Auckland East franchisee.
“My friends who work in customer-facing jobs can’t go to work. They are getting the wage subsidy, but it’s not enough.”
Ankush bought a CrestClean franchise two years ago, which has kept him in full-time work throughout all the lockdowns.
“It’s a good business to be in. I’m very happy.”
With two large essential services customers, one of which requires an additional sanitising service at Levels 3 and 4, he says his income has increased by 30-40%.
“I sanitise twice a day, in between the morning and afternoon shifts, and again in the evening,” says Ankush.
Kitted out in the required PPE and having completed pandemic training with CrestClean’s Master Cleaners Training Institute, he says he feels both competent and safe in carrying out the work at the heightened alert levels.
“I feel very supported by CrestClean. They always provide me with up-to-date information, so I know what’s going on and what to expect at the different alert levels.”
Ankush says he really enjoys owning a business that provides a stable income, and a good work-life balance.
“I changed to CrestClean because I wasn’t getting enough time with my family and I wasn’t earning enough money. Having my own business means I can spend more time with family — it’s less hours and more money, so I’m pretty happy with that.”
