In short: Grant Osborne has spent 27 years building a Jim’s Mowing franchise that turns over about $500,000 a year with Grant and one employee. His approach combines industrial contracts, broad horticultural services, safer work systems, efficient equipment and the lead flow and brand recognition provided by Jim’s Group.
In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Grant Osborne shares how he moved from automotive dealership service management into Jim’s Mowing in Tomago, where he now uses battery-powered Husqvarna equipment, specialised mowers and a two-person safety system to service commercial and industrial properties.
A Jim’s Mowing franchise can grow beyond a suburban lawn round when the owner builds the right service mix, systems and equipment base. Grant has stayed with Jim’s since 1999 and says his business now turns over about $500,000 a year with one staff member. This article explains his professional pivot, technical approach, commercial systems and advice for people comparing a franchise with going independent.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Did Grant Leave Automotive Service Management for Jim’s Mowing?
Grant previously ran service departments in the automotive trade, where long hours and pressure shaped his working life. He joined Jim’s Mowing in 1999 and has remained in the system for 27 years.
His Hunter region client mix includes inner urban properties, suburban homes, acreage, retirement villages and industrial sites.
Instead of relying on nine months of mowing work, Grant offers hedging, gutter cleaning, pruning, lawn treatment and other garden services throughout the year. He compares the model with a service station that sells fuel but refuses to sell drinks, ice cream or chips.
The broader service range makes Grant more useful to each client and creates work beyond the mowing season.
Grant also credits Jim’s Life Coaching with helping him reset after years of pushing himself hard. His lesson is direct: the business owner needs servicing too.
What Equipment Helps Grant Complete More Work With a Smaller Team?
Grant has invested about $30,000 in battery equipment, mainly through Husqvarna. He uses battery chainsaws, blowers and handheld tools while retaining petrol or diesel machines where battery weight and runtime remain less practical.
Battery tools use stored electrical energy to power an electric motor. They deliver torque without a petrol engine idling or relying on a carburettor and two-stroke fuel mix, while lower noise helps around offices, factories and homes.
Grant says a Husqvarna 535 battery chainsaw performs as a 35cc petrol saw. He also says the larger 550 battery model has more kickback than his 70cc petrol saw, while his battery backpack blower delivers about 80% of the power of a large petrol unit.
Pro Tips
- Buy commercial equipment through a specialist dealer. Grant says dealer support can be worth more than a $200 retail redemption when a failed tool could otherwise stay off the road for three and a half weeks.
- Build enough battery and charging capacity for the workload.
- Match the power source to the machine. Grant still uses petrol or diesel for some larger mowers because battery weight remains a practical limitation.
Grant also uses a 3M Peltor headset, priced around $500 on special, to answer leads without stopping machinery.
Why Has Grant Stayed With Jim’s Mowing for 27 Years?
An independent contractor must build a brand, website, advertising system, lead pipeline, operating procedures and backup network from scratch. Grant says the first question for independents should be how much they spend on marketing, because quality leads do not arrive for free.
Jim’s Group provides a recognised name, training, systems, peer knowledge and lead generation. Prospective owners can review how Jim’s franchising fees work, explore Jim’s franchisee training and compare opportunities through the Jim’s Group franchise information page.
Grant sees lead flow as a major advantage. He says 95% of people worry about finding quality leads, while Jim’s franchisees already operate inside a system that generates more demand than the network can always service.
The structure also creates backup. Two or three franchisees can work together after hours, and another operator can help if illness, leave or a vehicle problem threatens the schedule.
Training extends beyond mowing. Grant has completed Certificate IV studies and values Certificate II in Horticulture knowledge about plants, soil, spacing and establishment.
Revenue does not equal profit, so Grant tracks the bottom line and keeps cash in reserve. He aims to hold about 90 days of revenue, has reached roughly 70 days and recommends focusing on sustainable profit rather than turnover alone.
The guide to how much a Jim’s franchise can earn provides further context.
What Does Commercial Mowing Involve in Tomago and the Hunter?
Tomago sits within the Hunter and Port Stephens area, where industrial estates, heavy industry, acreage, retirement villages and suburban properties create different maintenance needs. Grant adjusted his territory towards industrial areas and built equipment and policies around those clients.
Commercial buyers now ask for more than an Australian Business Number, workers compensation and public liability insurance. Grant says they also request environmental, modern slavery and isolation policies.
After-hours work creates a clear safety risk. Grant described two lone workers who suffered serious injuries and remained undiscovered for between one and two hours.
His current rule is that no team member starts alone before the whole crew arrives.
Winter lawns and different soil types need different treatments. Grant uses TurfAid, a bioenzyme lawn treatment, and FutureSoil products including biochar.
Supplier seminars from companies such as Syngenta and Living Turf help him choose products by soil, plant and site conditions.
How Does a Jim’s Mowing Franchise Compare With an Independent Contractor?
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Lead generation | Owner funds and manages all marketing | Recognised brand and established lead system |
| Training | Often based on trial and error | Business, customer service and horticultural training |
| Commercial continuity | One illness or vehicle issue may stop the job | Staff and nearby franchisees can provide backup |
| Safety and compliance | Policies depend on the individual operator | Documented procedures, insurance and network guidance |
| Equipment decisions | Relies on sales advice or personal testing | Peer feedback from franchisees using equipment daily |
‘The key is to work smarter, not harder. With one staff member, we turn over about $500,000 a year.’
– Grant Osborne, Jim’s Mowing franchisee in Tomago
Frequently Asked Questions
Grant says the business turns over about $500,000 a year with himself and one staff member. Specialised equipment helps the small team handle larger work.
Grant joined in 1999 and has spent 27 years in the group. He plans to reach 30 years.
Yes. Grant’s work covers industrial sites alongside suburban, acreage and retirement-village properties.
Larger contracts require suitable machinery, compliance documents, backup workers and safe after-hours procedures.
Battery equipment can handle many commercial tasks when the operator chooses the right platform and carries enough batteries.
Grant retains petrol or diesel for some larger machines where battery weight remains a constraint.
An independent owner must fund marketing, build trust and arrange backup alone.
Grant values the Jim’s brand, leads, training and peer network.
Grant recommends looking beyond mowing.
Hedging, pruning, gutter cleaning, fertilising, soil improvement and broader garden maintenance can create work across the year.
Grant follows advice to hold at least two months of revenue and is working towards about 90 days.
The reserve can cover interruptions.
Key Takeaways
- Grant Osborne has spent 27 years with Jim’s Mowing and built a business turning over about $500,000 a year with one employee.
- Industrial contracts require equipment, compliance documents, backup labour and safe working procedures.
- Battery tools can reduce noise and fuel-system maintenance, but operators still need to match the tool to the job.
- Broad services, compact routes and faster lead follow-up improve the value of each working day.
- The Jim’s brand, training, lead system and franchisee network reduce several risks faced by independent operators.
Build a Smarter Service Business With Jim’s Mowing
Need Professional Lawn and Garden Care in the Hunter?
Customers in Tomago and across the Hunter region can use Jim’s Mowing lawn and garden services for residential, acreage, retirement-village, commercial and industrial property maintenance.
Local operators work to professional standards and operate under the Jim’s National Guarantee, giving customers a clear path for support if a service issue arises.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Mowing today.
Could You Build a More Efficient Business With Jim’s Mowing?
Grant’s story shows what can happen when a franchisee combines the Jim’s system with long-term learning, careful equipment investment, broad services and personal responsibility.
A franchise does not remove the need for effort. It gives the owner a recognised brand, training, systems, peers and lead opportunities that would otherwise need to be built and funded independently.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.