A cleaner’s journey and her dream team

The road to one’s dream is rarely easy – it is
a journey with many challengers, but with the right people to help and teach
you, it is achievable.

When Malia Zeke started working as a cleaner,
she dreamed one day of running her own business.

After five years, she does just that.

Malia went from an employee at Property Services Unlimited (PSU) to purchasing her own business cleaning franchise with her family in 2018.

She first started working for Hamilton-based cleaning service PSU in 2013 with nothing but a positive attitude and a dream.

“When I first joined, I never thought I would reach where I am today. I have gained more knowledge and qualifications that I expected – they [PSU] helped me get my driver’s license, elevated work platform ticket, carpet technician certificate. and fire technician certificate.”

Malia is the first woman at PSU to work on the restoration
side of the business working in the specialist area of fire decontamination,
asbestos, biohazard cleans, and meth labs.

Malia speaks highly of her employers and says
she was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to purchase a cleaning business
franchise.

“I love my job as a specialty technician, being
in leadership roles here has widened my knowledge in the industry, including
how to treat and interact with staff and clients.”

Her contract with PSU is set to run for another
four years and she claims that this is a bonus as she will keep learning while
also trying to nurture her business.

Her husband, Clive Zeke, is a big part of her
growing franchise “Malia Property Services Limited” as he deals with the
management side of the business.

“I don’t know much about the business management side of things, but lucky for me, I have my husband who has experience to deal with that.”

The backbone of her franchise, Mr Zeke has a BA
(Management) from the University of the South Pacific and is also a Law Degree
from University of Waikato. To top it off he has years of experience in management
positions in the Solomon Islands.

The couple have three daughters who help out with
the big weekend cleaning jobs, but the two older ones are pursuing dreams of
their own.

“If our cleaning business flourishes in the future, it would be good to have my daughters as members in the business and help in growing it. But I also support them being independent in whatever path they choose…”