Welcome back to our A Day in the Life series.
In this instalment, we’re shining the spotlight on Maria Mestre, a dynamic and driven NIC Local Regional Director covering the expansive areas of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.
Maria has been with us for a decade and is highly regarded for her expertise in mobilising large contracts, building high-performing teams, and delivering an exceptional level of service to clients.
Her journey is one of resilience and growth, powered by a true passion for people.
Below in her own words, Maria discusses how she got started with NIC Local, the hard work that goes into growing the business, and why communication and putting people first is such an important aspect of her day-to-day work.
From project manager to franchising success
I moved to the UK from Portugal 20 years ago to take up a role as project manager for a company who oversaw specialised cleaning requirements for Marks & Spencer.
From there I started specialising in cleaning management for hotels, which is a very challenging area, as well as motorway service stations. This helped me gain really valuable insight and experience in running large, complex client sites.
Once I learned about NIC Local’s franchise opportunity, I jumped at the chance to run my own business and make use of the knowledge I had gained.
The brand’s recognition and scale opened a lot of doors to getting new business and hitting the ground running from day one.
Pivoting in the pandemic
COVID led to the closure of all hotels, which was a significant sector for my franchise. So I started having to look for clients in different markets, such as motorway service areas.
I’ve always preferred managing large sites; I don’t tend to take on small clients as they’re just not as efficient to manage.
Again, being able to rely on NIC Local’s name and reputation really helped with this as it’s an instantly recognisable and nationwide name.
Building the business through quality and determination
My day-to-day role is now centred on investing in my teams, preserving what we’ve built, and identifying new opportunities.
Recently, we secured the contract for Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax. It was a major win, and it gave me the confidence and initiative to seek out similar opportunities.
That led to securing the cleaning contract for another iconic venue nearby: The Piece Hall in Halifax, which hosts dozens of events every year.
Managing both is a challenge, but it’s exactly what I love doing.
From the start, I knew I wanted to work towards large-scale opportunities. My background and experience gave me confidence in working with these, and they are often simpler to manage thanks to the contract’s structure.
Retaining clients is just as important as winning them
Growing is vital, but if you’re not retaining your clients, then what’s the point?
A single lost contract can undo months of work and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds in turnover. That’s why I give every client ongoing attention and reassurance.
For me, it’s all about relationships and my clients know I’m honest. If something’s not working, I tell them. We talk openly, and that’s where trust builds. Even when things get difficult, communication helps us overcome any challenge together.
I believe good communication is the key for everything. There are no secrets to succeeding with NIC Local: just invest in relationships and deliver quality.
Putting people first, inside and outside the business
My teams are everything to the business as it is them doing the work, so I focus a lot of my time on creating a positive environment.
I achieve this by doing things like Employee of the Month or teambuilding activities.
I visit sites personally and, if needed, grab a brush and help out. It illustrates to them that we are a team and helps set the standards.
Even with 30 or 40 staff, I work hard to maintain those personal connections. And because of the team culture we’ve built, people often bring their friends to join us, which significantly helps with staff retention.
When the machine runs well, recruitment becomes organic.
Support from NIC Local means I’m never alone
My relationship with the franchise support team is fantastic: they are open minded and nothing is ever too difficult for them.
My BDM is always available whenever I need help with solving a problem, which is really reassuring.
The wider team listens to feedback, support with marketing, and constantly looks for ways to help improve my business.
I feel fully supported in running the business, winning and retaining client contracts, and that makes such a positive difference.
Again, this shows the importance of great communication and relationships.
Overcoming challenges is part of the job
Running a business can be lonely and making every decision yourself can feel isolating. But if you believe in yourself and stay focused, you push through.
One of the hardest challenges would be losing a contract. It can take months to recover, but I prepare by always looking for the next opportunity.
Big contracts come with big expectations. If a site leader leaves unexpectedly, I step in to train the replacement myself. I keep communication channels open, like WhatsApp groups, to ensure everyone is connected and able to help one another.
If a staff member leaves today, someone must be there tomorrow. There’s no room for complacency as the service must always be delivered.
Being a franchisee means owning the outcome
What’s rewarding is knowing that every success is down to me and my team.
I work hard because I care deeply, and because I know this business reflects who I am. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything special – it’s just in my personality to keep going, to demand more, and to find the solution.
To succeed at NIC Local, you need passion, resilience and the ability to keep relationships strong, whether that’s with your team, clients, or head office.
That’s what makes it work, and it’s what keeps me and my business moving forwards every day.
Don’t miss the rest of our A Day in the Life series:
- Franchisee – Kahla Marsden
- Head of Franchise Recruitment – Phil Harrison
- Administrator – Janet Grimston
- Finance Business Partner – Nick Costello
- General Manager – Jo Lock
Want to be the next success story?
If you’re ready to take control of your future and explore the exciting opportunities within the lucrative commercial cleaning sector, we’d love to hear from you!
Get in touch with our franchise recruitment team today to receive your franchise prospectus and start your journey with NIC Local.
Your success story starts here. Let’s make it happen together!