Twelve months of blood, sweat and tears has paid off outstandingly for Mike Pero Real Estate Tauranga franchise owner Megan Benson.

This week the Tauranga branch won New Franchise Office of the Year at the Mike Pero Real Estate Annual Awards which were held at Sky City up in Auckland on Wednesday night.

Mike Pero Real Estate Tauranga franchise owner Megan Benson (centre) with national general manager Josephine Kinsella and chief executive Mike Pero. Supplied Photo.

Along with Megan, the Tauranga team consists of three sales agents and one administrator who the franchise owners lavishes nothing but praise on.

'We're absolutely buzzing and very pleased with the win. The team and I have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and some very long, long hours to build the brand here in Tauranga,” she says.

'Since we were announced as the winner, we've received awesome feedback from head office and the other franchise owners around the country, they know how much work we've put in here.”

Megan purchased the franchise in July of last year and went about setting up the office on Cameron Road. Looking back on the last 12 months, she says her timing couldn't have been any better.

'It's a great market at the moment, but you never know what it's going to do and it won't always be like this. When I bought the franchise last year it certainly wasn't what it's like now.”

The Tauranga team, sales agents Lynda Kingi, franchise owner Megan Benson and sale agent Marie Disomma, flanked by general manager Josephine Kinsella and chief executive Mike Pero. Supplied Photo.

Joining Megan at the awards on Wednesday night was her sales agents Marie Disomma and Lynda Kingi, and her partner Deane – who along with her two children has offered a ton of support over the past 12 months.

'I only met Deane about five weeks after I bought the business, so he's seen where I've gone from when we met up until now. Everyday Deane and my two kids have been there for me, cooking me dinner and having everything organised when I come home at whatever time I get home.”

So where to from her for Megan and the Tauranga branch?

'The goal is to continue growing the brand here in Tauranga and work more with the community, there's a lot of agents across the board, but a small amount actually care and our team really care about our clients. We'll also be looking to win more accolades at next year's awards,” says Megan.

Mike Pero Real Estate Tauranga franchise owner Megan Benson with partner Dean at the Mike Pero Real Estate Annual Awards which were held in Auckland on Wednesday night. Supplied Photo.