Pam Castillo and Emmel Yap embarked on their Clean Planet journey in June 2020, beginning as franchisees with aspirations to grow and excel in the commercial cleaning industry. Their story is a testament to their dedication, strategic thinking, and the robust support they received from Clean Planet. Today, they are not just successful franchisees but Master Regional Franchise (MRF) owners of three major, profitable and growing regions in Auckland—CBD, North Shore, and the recently added South Auckland.
Growth and Expansion: From Franchisees to Regional Owners
Pam and Emmel didn’t dive into the deep end right away! They took their time, focusing on learning everything they could about running a commercial cleaning business. Their confidence grew as they successfully managed challenging sites and consistently delivered top-notch service.
Within a year, they began to explore larger opportunities, engaging in discussions with Clean Planet’s management to expand their business. By July 2021, they had taken on the roles of Regional Franchise Owners for Auckland CBD and North Shore. Their success in managing these regions, marked by hard work and a drive for excellence, laid the foundation for further growth.
“For the past three years of managing the Auckland CBD and North Shore, with a lot of hard work, dedication and time to polish the region, we believe we now have the capacity to expand further. As we have always been seeking growth opportunities, and a larger territory means more customers and increased revenue for our team” – quotes Emmel.
The duo has recently extended their regional business by purchasing to South Auckland, one of Clean Planet’s largest territories. The decision to extend their regional business was a strategic move aimed at leveraging growth opportunities.
Their business now serves approximately 450 customers, supported by nearly 100 franchisees, and boasts a turnover exceeding $5 million. High-profile clients such as Les Mills, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Fulton Hogan underscore the stature they have achieved.
Clean Planet’s Support Behind Their Success
Clean Planet’s management team has been with them every step of the way, providing guidance, motivation, and the tools they need to succeed. From helping them streamline operations to ensuring they met their goals, the support from Clean Planet was crucial.
The focus on sustainability, a core value of Clean Planet, resonated with many of their clients, attracting high-profile clients who valued environmentally friendly practices as much as we do.
In addition to operational support, Clean Planet facilitated the training and onboarding of new franchisees, a crucial aspect of Pam and Emmel’s regional growth. Their ability to integrate 3 to 5 new franchisees each month has contributed significantly to their region’s success. This consistent growth has allowed franchisees under their leadership to achieve personal milestones, such as investing in properties and spending more time with their families.
As Pam puts it: “We aim to train at least 3 to 5 franchisees in our region every month and have them fully on board in 2 -3 months. It is fulfilling to witness our franchisees grow each of their businesses, be able to invest in their properties, get to spend quality time with their families and share these testimonies to other people of the benefits they gained from joining Clean Planet”.
A Model of Success
Pam Castillo and Emel Yap’s journey from franchisees to Master Regional Franchise Owners is a powerful example of what can be achieved with dedication, strategic vision, and the right support. Their success in managing some of Clean Planet’s largest regions showcases their core competencies in financial management, sales and customer service, and leadership.
As they continue to expand and mentor new franchisees, they are not only building a successful business but also creating opportunities for others to achieve their dreams within the Clean Planet family.
