Owen Mills and Shawn Gibbon are just a few months into owning the real estate business formerly known as First National Allied Farmers, and they already have an office full of awards, showing that it is not only business as usual, but excellent business as usual for the local firm.
"The ones that really count for me are the team awards," says Owen, who says that seeing his team achieve recognition for their excellence is "most important to me".
In pride of place therefore, are the awards proclaiming the Stratford Office as "top office" in its size category throughout First National offices in New Zealand and "top auction office".
These awards were presented to the team by First National Group general manager Colleen Milne.
She says that "deciding to buy or sell a property can be a stressful time but our teams make it a positive experience and achieve our customers' desired outcomes".
Colleen also had four more trophies for the office on the day, as Owen received the Property Press cup for profile marketing, the top auction lister award, top rural salesperson award and was named third in the top 20 salespeople award as well as having the award for top value of confirmed sales for the year.
"Every member of our sales team achieved a category award for level of sales achieved which is pretty special and would not be that common in real estate business," said Owen.
"It's because as a team we keep backing each other up," says Owen, who adds that he views this as "exceptional in a commission-based business".
Owen says that the team is continuing to go from strength to strength, and thanks their "loyal client base" for helping them achieve their success.
Being reliant on the community, he says, means that the office is committed to supporting it, and with this in mind among other sponsorship, they are a major sponsor of the Stratford Rugby and Sports club.
"It is a community thing to look after your own if you can," Owen says, adding that Stratford is a great place to live and also to do business.