There is nothing quite like celebrating World Franchise Day with a room full of passionate Kiwi business minds. At the recent Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) breakfast, an expert panel discussed the realities of moving from corporate life to successful business ownership.
Representing our network on stage was Auckland franchisee, Paul Bolton, who has grown his Green Acres Lawn & Garden franchise over the last 13 years from a solo operation into a thriving business with five full-time employees.
Alongside Paul on the panel were Rowan Webb (Hire A Hubby), Avesh Vather (Kitchen Studio), and Bailee Mills (FANZ 2025 Field Manager of the Year, Harrisons Flooring & Curtains NZ). Here are the top insights from the morning on what it takes to thrive with Green Acres.
The power of plugging into an established brand
Having spent years managing large businesses for corporate owners, Paul knew exactly how overwhelming the back office could be for a solo operator.
"I knew what was involved in the back office," Paul explained. "I couldn't see how a solo business could handle marketing, IT, and health and safety alone. Franchising with Green Acres was the only way to plug into that massive support network instantly."
The panel agreed: Rowan (Hire A Hubby) and Avesh (Kitchen Studio) agreed, noting that an established brand gives you the market presence to scale quickly, allowing you to play to your strengths rather than starting from scratch.
Paul’s 50/50 rule: working ON vs. IN the Business
A big topic of discussion was managing the day-to-day realities of being the boss. Paul shared an insight for prospective buyers about how your time is actually split:
"Only about 50% of your time is spent doing the actual hands-on work. The other 50% is running the business—admin, quotes, and marketing. If you take the path of least resistance and embrace the franchise systems already set up for you, you’ll have way more success. There’s no point wasting energy fighting the system."
The Panel View: Support expert Bailee Mills backed this up, stating that the most successful franchisees are the ones who collaborate with the model rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
Green Acres and Hire A Hubby Support Office Team
Savouring the "Little Wins"
When asked what keeps them motivated, the panel agreed that true job satisfaction comes from consistent, steady progress and great community feedback.
For Paul, the thrill of growth never fades. While he is catching much bigger fish these days with his five-man crew, he still proudly remembers the feeling of winning his very first quote 13 years ago. Today, his biggest joy is watching his team thrive and receiving glowing feedback from clients that develop into long-standing relationships.
The Panel View: Bailee also noted that her favourite part of franchise support is celebrating those exact moments—watching KPIs tick upward and seeing positive Google reviews roll in for the hard-working teams on the ground.
Avesh Vather (Kitchen Studio), Rowan Webb (Hire A Hubby) & Paul Bolton (Green Acres)
Golden advice for future Green Acres owners
Paul and the panellists wrapped up with three pieces of advice for anyone looking to make the leap:
Do your homework: Look closely at the specific culture and support structures of the network, not just the financial numbers.
Know your limits: Be honest with yourself about your strengths and what you want your day-to-day life to look like.
Lean on the network: Business ownership can be a lonely road, but you aren't alone. Put your hand up, ask questions, and utilise the field support around you.
Join The Team!
Ready to build your own success story?
If Paul’s 13-year journey inspired you, get in touch with the Green Acres team today to explore available lawn and garden, home & commercial cleaning franchises in your area!
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