Home guard keeps eye on the lawns

By ELLEN READ

Michele Miles spent a year thinking - about what sort of person she was, what skills she had and what she enjoyed doing.

At the end of that, she set up her own business.

That was a couple of years ago and, not surprisingly, she still loves her custom-made job - owning and running Property Plus, a Taupo business which offers specialist services for absentee owners.

"It had to fit the sort of person I am and skills I have.

"It's about being human and having fun at what you're doing. I also had to recognise my own weaknesses," Miles says.

"As most people realise, there are a growing number of holiday properties in Taupo, all vulnerable when left empty for long periods.

"I arrange lawns, gardens, cleaning, whatever."

She also offers a number of other services aimed at the local market, for example animal feeding, housesitters, inspections.

A background in real estate in the Hawkes Bay meant Miles understood the housing and service sectors, and to prepare for her new business she also gained a security guard licence to show she was serious about the services she offers.

A Biz Info business course helped with some of the information and skills needed for running her own firm but Miles says it was very hard when she was starting out to find the right sort of information and help.

"A lot of it I've had to work out myself."

While a year may seem like a long time to think about what you want to do, Miles was new to Taupo and wanted to get to know the town and how it operated before finding her niche.

She was also wary about getting into a career she didn't enjoy so was determined to take enough time.

With word of mouth the key to attracting new customers, Miles takes a new approach to every new contract.

"I don't have a plan A, B or anything like that. I just sit down with each customer and work out that they need and want," she says, explaining what she believes to be the key to her success.

"It's about leaving the nice footprints - all my clients are on a first-name basis."

Property Plus is the only business of its type in Taupo and while Miles works from home, she is aware that the strong growth of her business means she will eventually need office space somewhere in the town.

"I've got through the first two years and that's the hardest part.

"Then you move into a five-year cycle and for me that will include making a full-time living and moving into retail or office space."

Initially aimed mainly at out-of-town owners, Property Plus is attracting a growing number of Taupo locals who want their places looked after.