It’s official, Gymea dad Rob Watson is one of the handiest men in NSW.
Rob, 36, claimed the NSW Man in a Van award at the Hire a Hubby Franchisee of the Year Awards presented last month in Tasmania.
The Award recognises the work of a Hire a Hubby franchisee who has successfully operated a single person franchise in their state.
Rob initially competed against 80 fellow franchisees from across NSW and this was narrowed down to a final four from which he was selected.
He joined Hire a Hubby three years ago so he could spend more time with his family.
“I was a manager in retail for about 10 years which meant I was always working Saturdays,” he said.
“I always wanted to have own own business and be my own boss and while I still work six days a week, I can have time-off if I want to.”
The extra freedom means that Rob now has time to coach his six-year-old son Jack’s footy team.
Rob also helps out doing handy work at local childcare centres including Gymea Childcare and Treetops Childcare Kirrawee.
Hire a Hubby started in Melbourne in 1996 as a single person operation and has grown to have almost 300 franchisees in Australia, 70 in New Zealand and 20 in the UK. All Hire a Hubby franchisees are police checked, fully insured and offer a workmanship guarantee.
When Rob decided to be a Hire a Hubby franchisee he embarked on studies to become a professional carpenter which he recently completed.
“I started to do carpentry when I left school but fell out of it, so I’ve finally managed to go back to doing what I originally wanted to do,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a handyman and now I am.”
This week, a typical work day included putting together a new bed for a mum to undertaking major renovations including removing a fireplace and tiles.
“And we are starting to get into bathroom renovations,” he said.
He said the best aspect of his job is being his own boss.
“I’ve got the flexibility to do what I want and I have more of a work-life balance.”