There is a big difference between wanting to be your own boss and actually making it a success in the real world. To celebrate World Franchise Day, the Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) brought together an expert panel to discuss the mindset required to build a thriving business today.
Representing our network on stage was Rowan Webb, the owner of Hire A Hubby Kohimarama. Having previously run several successful operations, including working as a master franchisee in Australia, Rowan brought a wealth of commercial experience to the stage.
Alongside Rowan on the panel were Paul Bolton (Green Acres), Avesh Vather (Kitchen Studio), and Bailee Mills (FANZ 2025 Field Manager of the Year - Harrisons Flooring & Curtains NZ). Here is a quick look at Rowan’s insights on driving a successful Hire A Hubby business.
With an entrepreneurial background, Rowan knew exactly what to look for when shopping around for his next business venture. For him, it came down to brand equity and a strong local footprint.
"I knew the power of a highly respected brand in the market," Rowan shared. "You look at the appeal of your territory and the opportunity there. Hire A Hubby ticked all those boxes perfectly."
The Panel View: Paul (Green Acres) and Avesh (Kitchen Studio) agreed, adding that jumping into an established brand provides the instant infrastructure, IT systems, and marketing power that an independent startup could likely not afford.
A major highlight of the morning was the panel's discussion on the mindset shift required to be a successful franchise owner. Rowan didn't sugarcoat what it takes to build a thriving territory:
"Some people expect work to just land in their lap. It doesn't," Rowan said. "You have to actively go out there and build your business. The brand support is absolutely there to back you, but you have to be self-driven and learn to work effectively within the guidelines of the system."
The Panel View: Field Manager of the Year Bailee Mills strongly agreed, adding that top-performing business owners are always naturally curious, proactive, and prepared to actively "chase success" rather than wait for it.
When asked what he loves most about running his Hire A Hubby franchise, Rowan pointed to the daily variety of work and the rewarding process of earning client loyalty.
He noted that the diverse range of jobs means he feels like he's starting a fresh apprenticeship every day. Rowan said his loyal, elderly clients affectionately refer to him as their "new husband" when he turns up to fix up their properties! -"Jokes aside, when people ring up and ask you to come back for repeat business, that’s when you know you’ve truly built trust."
The Panel View: Avesh (Kitchen Studio) agreed that the absolute best part of franchising is the ability to insert yourself into a local business, build a great local team, and watch your skills grow across a huge variety of daily roles.
Rowan and the panellists left the room with clear, actionable advice for prospective buyers:
If you've got the practical skills and the drive to run your own successful territory just like Rowan, reach out to the Hire A Hubby team today!
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