For Samoan-born Tino Siaosi life is shaping up well, thanks to his resounding success as a courier franchisee with Aramex Australia.

Tino was just named Aramex Australia’s Courier Franchisee of the Year at the franchise’s 2024 Excellence Awards, held in Hobart, Tasmania.

He is beaming over the phone when he talks about his recent award win which brought him face-to-face with NRL Sharks star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Aramex is the principal front-of-jersey sponsor of the Cronulla Sharks, and as part of his prize Tino was flown to Sydney to star in the next commercial.

Aramex award-winning franchisee

“I’m a big NRL fan, it was good to meet the Sharks player and sit next to him, with my best smile on, representing Aramex,” he says. “He’s Samoan-born so we had a chat in the language.”

Tino is super proud of his achievements as an Aramex courier franchisee.

“The award is good for business and good for customers. My customers now say they have the best courier in Australia!” he laughs.

“This award means a lot to me. When I think about where I come from…and now I’ve put myself at the top!” he says. “I came from nothing, now I’ve proved I can do anything.”

Tino only spoke Samoan when at 17 he left the Polynesian island country for New Zealand. He helped out his father with sub-contract work in a vineyard and found part-time work at McDonald’s.

“I went to school to become a builder but left before the course finished,” he admits.

He arrived in Australia 10 years ago, looking for a job, and found work with his girlfriend’s father who was a courier franchisee with Aramex (then Fastway Couriers) on the Gold Coast.

He worked as a freight sorter and brought his cheery manner and hard-working approach to the depot for three and a half years.

When his first child was born, Tino was keen to take his hard work to the next level and do something for himself, and Aramex provided the perfect opportunity.

Seizing the opportunity

The regional franchisees Kerry Noyes and Steve Curtis, who run the Gold Coast depot, assisted him in to a courier franchise role. He purchased his first territory and leased a vehicle from them which he paid off weekly for three years.

“I bought my run off someone who was retiring. It was a mixed business and residential area, and I was running non-stop, with close to 300 deliveries a day.”

However the hard work and long hours didn’t deter him.

“I’m Samoan, born and raised; everything is hard if you think about it, so just do it!” he says.

“And you’re so busy, time goes fast. As a courier you have a different conversation with different people every day. I like that. It’s important to keep smiling and do your own thing.”

Tino built up the business and within three years sold the territory for a sizeable profit and bought another run.

“In the first territory, I was so busy I had little time to spend with customers. I want to be customer service focused and make sure they are happy with the service.”

Set up for success with Aramex

Flashback to the early days and the training Tino received from Aramex played a big part in setting him up for success as a courier franchisee.

“I had two weeks training and was on the road with someone showing me the ropes, to make sure I’m doing the right thing. I picked it up real quick. It’s an easy process and we have good technology that helps us be fast and efficient.”

Aramex has provided Tino with a brilliant opportunity to be his own boss, doing a job he loves, out driving and delivering award-winning customer service.

When Tino first got his depot job, he was responding to questions with yes and no answers. Now he owns a business, his English has improved, he has three kids, and is focused on business-building for his family.

“I always try and put food on the table, and help out my dad in New Zealand. I feel good about that because when I was young, he sacrificed things for me,” he says.

“For me, I just want to keep building my business, gain more customers and maybe employ another driver and work together on the territory, and grow bigger.

“The only way to do it is to put myself out there,” he says.

“People will see me in the Sharks ad, see I’m the best Aramex courier franchisee, and I might become a big thing!” he jokes.