After 14 years with Jim’s Pool Care on the Gold Coast, Jason Catanzariti has had plenty of time to see what the franchise model is really like. In this Q&A, he explains why he has stayed, what new franchisees can expect from training and support, and why he recommends experiencing the work before making a decision.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
How Long Have You Been With Jim’s Pool Care?
Jason Catanzariti has been with Jim’s Pool Care in the Gold Coast region for 14 years.
Before returning to self-employment, Jason had already run his own business. He then went to work for someone else, but says he “couldn’t handle it”, so he went back out and worked for himself again.
That background matters because his view of the franchise model comes from someone who has experienced both business ownership and employment. After 14 years with Jim’s Pool Care, he still points back to the model itself as one of the main reasons he stays.
Why Did You Choose Jim’s Pool Care?
Jason chose Jim’s Pool Care because the model stood out from the other options he considered.
“I looked at a few other ones, but Jim’s was the one that stood out,” he says. One part he specifically highlights is the fixed fee structure, which he says he really likes.
For someone comparing a Jim’s Pool Care franchise with other business options, Jason’s view is not based on a quick first impression. He has stayed in the system for 14 years and still describes it simply as “a good model”. People researching the opportunity can also read more about how to start a Jim’s Pool Care franchise.
What Does A Jim’s Pool Care Franchisor Do?
Jason says the role involves looking after franchisees, organising training sessions, providing support and bringing on new franchisees when they enquire.
That means the job is not only about growing the region. A large part of it involves helping franchisees develop once they are in the system. Jason works directly with people during training and also brings experienced franchisees into the process where their particular skills can help.
That support structure is one of the areas prospective franchisees should examine closely before joining any franchise. Jim’s Group also explains its broader approach to supporting franchisees for people who want to understand what the system is designed to provide.
What Do You Look For In A New Franchisee?
Jason looks for people who are honest, upfront, willing to go the extra mile for customers, and prepared to push themselves.
He also says the first question should not simply be about how much someone could earn at the start. His focus is on what a person wants to get out of the business.
For many people, that may be a lifestyle change rather than a single income target. Jason says that when he talks to prospective franchisees, he promotes lifestyle and work-life balance. That does not mean effort disappears. His description of a suitable franchisee still starts with honesty, customer care, and a willingness to push themselves.
What Can You Get Out Of A Jim’s Pool Care Franchise?
Jason believes people should think about what they want from the business overall, including lifestyle and work-life balance, rather than focusing only on early earning potential.
That is an important distinction. His own schedule is a practical example. Jason says he likes to work three days a week and have a four-day weekend. That is his personal arrangement after 14 years in the business, not a guaranteed schedule for every franchisee. The point is that he sees control over his working week as one of the things he values.
What Training Do New Jim’s Pool Care Franchisees Get?
Jason says new franchisees complete three weeks of on-road training.
He provides that training alongside other franchisees who are good at what they do. Jason explains that different people have their own niche areas, so he may send a new franchisee out with someone who is particularly strong in one part of the work, while he handles the bulk of the training himself.
That gives new operators exposure to more than one person’s experience. It also reflects the practical nature of the work. Pool care is not something Jason suggests learning only from a manual or a classroom. He wants people out on the road seeing the work being done.
What Kind Of Work Does Jim’s Pool Care Involve?
Jason says the work includes pool maintenance, servicing, equipment installs, accessories, and other related pool care tasks.
He describes the industry as something that keeps evolving and says he finds it laid-back. The mix of work also means a franchisee may deal with regular servicing as well as equipment and accessory needs.
For someone considering the business, this is worth understanding before making a decision. The role is not simply “being a pool guy”. It involves practical service work, customer interaction, and learning the equipment and maintenance side of pool care.
Can A Jim’s Pool Care Franchise Lead To Bigger Opportunities?
Jason gives one example of a franchisee who started about five years earlier and later became a regional franchisor in a different region.
According to Jason, that franchisee had also completed a number of resales and split sales, which Jason puts at seven in total. He uses the example to show how someone can build within the model over time.
That is one person’s experience rather than a guaranteed pathway. Still, it shows the type of progression Jason has seen firsthand. For readers who want to understand that next level of the system, Jim’s Group has more information about becoming a regional franchisor.
Why Has Jason Stayed With Jim’s Pool Care For 14 Years?
Jason has stayed with Jim’s Pool Care for 14 years because he likes the model, values the fixed fee structure, enjoys the work-life balance he has built, and believes the brand and support around franchisees give people a solid framework for running their own business.
He also points to the strength of the Jim’s brand and says people know the business backs its franchisees. In his view, that reputation matters when franchisees are dealing with customers.
His answer is not built around one dramatic reason. It is the combination of the model, support, work-life balance, and the type of industry he works in. Fourteen years later, he still describes Pool Care as an evolving and laid-back industry that suits the way he wants to work.
What Should You Do Before Joining Jim’s Pool Care?
Jason says you should get out on the road and see whether you actually like the work before deciding to join.
He is clear that the opportunity is not for everyone. Someone may like the idea of working in pool care, but Jason believes they need to experience the day-to-day work rather than make a decision from the outside.
He suggests speaking with other franchisors, the divisional team, and Jim’s, and says prospective franchisees can come on a ride-along and spend a day seeing what the work involves. Jim’s Group also provides information about an Observation Day with a franchisee.
That is probably the most practical takeaway from Jason’s 14 years with Jim’s Pool Care: do the research, talk to people in the system, and see the work for yourself.
Ready To See Whether Jim’s Pool Care Is Right For You?
Jason’s advice is simple: do not make the decision based only on what the opportunity sounds like. Get on the road, see the work, speak with people in the system, and decide whether the lifestyle and day-to-day responsibilities suit you.
A franchise can give you a model, training and support, but you still need to be honest with yourself about the work you want to do and what you want to get out of the business. Explore what is involved in owning a Jim’s franchise before making an enquiry.