Getting to know John Middleton

Mikey P

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-What led you to get into this business?

-Describe your best cheerleader and what it took to make him or her so.

-Where was your business five years ago and where will it be five years from now?

-Start over from scratch, how would you go about it?

-If you had to move to the US would you run a cleaning biz?

-How have the Boards helped your biz?

-What percentage of the carpets you clean are synthetic?

-Is the IICRC incorrect when describing how to properly clean wool wall to wall in regards to heat and pH?

-You help moderate a Aussie board and *** tried to steal you from MB but from what I can tell you spend most of your time here, why do you love us so much?
 

Jack May

That Kiwi
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Oct 7, 2006
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2,423
Location
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Name
John
-What led you to get into this business?
I was living in Aussie and was a builder joiner before entering this industry. I mainly worked in a joinery workshop and was at that time the workshop foreman in a shop of 19 at the tender age of 23 with trademen 10 years my senior under me. The timber dust was setting off my asthma so time to move on.

My father Philip had a CC business and was busy enough to want a tech and offered me a job for 12 months till I worked out what I wanted to do. 3 years and a number of courses and I left Dad and shifted to New Zealand and set up Carpet Pro. I wasn't turned on by CCing but loved the small amount of water and fire losses that we handled so naturally, when I started my business, I had a strong insurance restoration focus. In the first few years it was 90% with the remainder being carpet and upholstery cleaning. Now taht's dropped back to about 65-70% consistant over a few years now.

-Describe your best cheerleader and what it took to make him or her so.
Refferal is a BIG part of our business, but not limited to one particular type. I have the loyal private clients that just send me new work without any thought of getting something in return through to getting them from carpet retailers and mills, interior designers, upholsterers etc.

What I try to do is ALWAY treat them and their homes/furnishings with respect and overdeliver on your promises. Just when they think it can't get any better, we give them their free 500ml carpet adn fabric spotter, then 3-5 days later, they get their thank you pack in the mail with a few goodies like chocolate, coffee voucher(s), magnet, business cards, a tick and flick client questionaire etc.

-Where was your business five years ago and where will it be five years from now?
2004 was a monumenteous year for us, we took the big step from owner operator to employer. I sank $120,000 into a new rig to take us tto the next stage. We moved out of a rented small low stud 1000 sqft 'garage' into a high stud, near new 2250 sqft warehouse and customised it for our purposes.

Five years from here, I hope to have a manager in my current business and I'll be fulltime in my new side business (see Marketing room for branding/logo development thread) It's been going for three years in the background but starting April 1st (new fiscal yr) we're going to push it under it's own brand and see what I can do with it.

-Start over from scratch, how would you go about it?
Probably a bit different. Having done the employing thing I'd probably try and find niche markets, similar to my new venture where there is little to no competition. In taht sense, I'm currently 'starting over from scratch' and doing things a bit different for my new venture.

-If you had to move to the US would you run a cleaning biz?
Most liekly. The potential in this industry is second to few other industry and you can invest as much or little as needed. You can chart your own course and decide as you go what direction you want to take. But why would I shift there when I already live in the most beautiful country on earth?

-How have the Boards helped your biz?
The Boards have had a big part in my personal and business development. Being somewhat isolated in both Aussie and NZ, we don't get as much networking so they take the place in that regard. Secondly, it has allowed me to stay at the front of advances within the industry. 6-7 years ago when encap was starting to take off over there, I tried to get one of the main suppliers to bring in a case for me but they declined. I got some Releasit in from Rick prior to him setting up the Aussie distributorship with the Bethels. Another instance is 2.5 and glides.

-What percentage of the carpets you clean are synthetic?
All our carpets have a synthetic primary backing? Is that what you meant?

-Is the IICRC incorrect when describing how to properly clean wool wall to wall in regards to heat and pH?
I feel the pH thing is ok and reasonable and we try and stay within those guidelines, BUT not the heat thing. If I have a bad job, I'll use as much heat as I need/can generate to do the job.

-You help moderate a Aussie board and ® tried to steal you from MB but from what I can tell you spend most of your time here, why do you love us so much?
I split my time mainly between these two boards as that's where my responsibilities lie. I also visit a little less frequently the encap board, the rug hub, the floor pros etc. I love the freedom of thought and speech where guys can call a spade spade and the manufacturer can't call up and get the thing edited or removed.

Thanks for asking, hope it hasn't been too boring.zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Jack :p
 

Jack May

That Kiwi
Joined
Oct 7, 2006
Messages
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Location
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Name
John
I just foud an old biograghy from teh Aussie forum.

Col said:
John Middleton

A bit of history.
I was born in 75. oldest of 4 kids. Born in Brisbane and the family shifted to New Zealand in 78. We lived in Hastings where I attended school and didn't mind it. Did pretty well in 3rd and 4th form (first two years of high school) till we shifted back to Aussie and settle in Mackay in November 1990. I HATED the change to MackaySHS and that was reflected in my average grades. I only stuck out Grade 10 and then left.

I loved anything to do with timber and couldn't get a job so I got into a pre vocational course at TAFE for building/joinery followed by a shorter 3 month cabinet making course to top out an overall 9 months. Came out top of my class most of the way through and scored a job at www.justjoinery.com.au when I finished.

I soon found my skill was with solid timber and so I spent most of my trade working on making solid timer doors and windows but I excelled in Staircases. I learnt the making, installation and even self taught myself the wood turning aspect. I graduated 6 months early with honours. 6 Months later, I had an accident and lost some fingers at work. That was 6 weeks off and a lot of surgery and physio, repeat surgery 12 months later etc. inside of 6-9 months of that, I got promoted to workshop foreman. It was a shop of 19 guys and many had 10-20 year experience over me but I loved the work and had a real passion for the industry. early 98 i got a return of my childhood asthma and so had to very reluctantly leave the industry. From here I worked for dad as a CC tech.

Married (2002) to my childhood sweetheart Jo and now have 3 lovely daughters. 4.5, 3 & 1.


What do you like to do outside of the business.
Activities involve stuffring around with my tools and making stuff. Anything from building alterations to outdoor furniture etc

I enjoy tramping/bushwalks etc especially 2-4 day trips through native bush and staying in primitive huts.

There's also a bit of private work with kids mainly from church teaching them etc.

I also enjoy the forums. I participate regularly on here, Mikeysboard, the rug hub and ricks board. There are a few others that I 'keep up with' on a semi regular basis.

Your taste in music & artists.
Mainly gospel type. I quite like Brooke Fraser's songs.

Why / how did you join the industry?
I joined Dad in Busy Bee Carpet Cleaners (no longer in operation) and learned the ropes of our industry. Did lots of ACCI and IICRC course plus a handful of other types including 2 different leather ones, a full day with Col Nation, HECS x3, and some outside our industry.

I didn't relish carpet cleaning but loved the odd time we got a fire or flood job. Dad and Mum sold up to follow their daughters back to NZ and so I decided to follow this industry and started Carpet Pro in May 2000. Obviously I had a strong focus on restoration. We've grown to the point that we have two vans and an office manager/receptionist. We're stuck between 2-3 techs workload so hopefully soon, I intend stepping off the truck and moving into a more managers role that will include a lot of my more specialised services.


What is the predominant side of your business ie carpet cleaning, fire or flood, pest, janitorial etc?
roughly 35-40% each of fire and water damage restoration. the remainder is a mix of carpet, upholstery, rug care, carpet repiars, leather, tile etc

What changes ,if any, would you like to see within the industry.
I'd like to see an apprenticeship type scenario for new entrants to our industry. We've not got the best of reputations and while it won't weed out the rats, it will help lift the overall perception so as the industry grows, hopefully it'll be for the best.

What is still on your to do list?
I've never been outside Aus/NZ. I'd love to take the family to Europe. The only cause for me to visit the US would probably be for work related interests.


John
 

roro

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2006
Messages
1,198
Location
Wellington
Name
Ross Craig
Since John hasn't downloaded any I thought I would share a few

CopyofNgarahoeevening.jpg

Saddest sight as it means I am going home from the lake after a few days fishing

CopyofEnroutetoWaiheke.jpg

Leaving Whiteshoe City (Auckland) on the way to Waiheke

Fromtheloungewindow.jpg

back home again - view is from our lounge window looking down over the river and golf courses to the harbour mouth (Wellington)

roro
 

Jimmy L

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Oct 7, 2006
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Ne
Name
Jimmy L
I have to agree that it's the most beautiful country in the world.
 

Jack May

That Kiwi
Joined
Oct 7, 2006
Messages
2,423
Location
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Name
John
Steven, I don't hold many 'current' certs.

I mainly do courses to advance knowledge and learn and implement rather than to boast a long list of certs.

Courses include:
ACCI...
Carpet Cleaning x2
Upholstery Cleaning
Advanced Spot and Stain x2
Fire Damage Restoration (joint IICRC) x2
Water Damage Restoration (also IICRC joint)
HECS 1, 11, 111. (Healthy Environement Cleaning Systems)

Drieaz...
ASD

WoolSafe
Registered Carpet Inspector.

And a host of other courses by individuals/small niche companies.
Leather Cleaning x2
Leather Repair x2
Carpet retufting
Carpet dyeing

I can't think what else at this stage.

I try and do a couple of courses each year either new or redo to keep up with things.

John
 

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