After around 20 years in another industry, Wayne Strange was ready for something different. Ten months into running a Jim’s Pool Care business in Brisbane North, Albany Creek, he shares what the transition has been like, from learning the work to getting support as a new franchisee.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Where Does Wayne Run His Jim’s Pool Care Business?
Wayne Strange’s territory is Brisbane North and Albany Creek, and he says he has just taken that on.
He has been with Jim’s for about 10 months and says he is really enjoying the change. For Wayne, the move into Jim’s Pool Care came after about 20 years in another industry. He wanted something different and describes the work as fresh.
That change matters because Wayne did not come into the role talking about decades of pool industry experience. His comments focus instead on learning the work, getting support, and building confidence as he goes.
For anyone comparing different paths into business ownership, Jim’s Group also explains what it can look like to own a Jim’s franchise and hear directly from existing franchisees.
Why Did Wayne Join Jim’s Pool Care After 20 Years in Another Industry?
Wayne has been with Jim’s for about 10 months.
Before making the move, he had spent about 20 years in another industry. He says he simply wanted a change, and after 10 months he is “loving it so far”.
The contrast is straightforward. Wayne moved from a long career in one field into something new, then had to learn a broad range of pool care tasks while running a customer-facing business.
He also admits that the transition made him nervous. That makes his first 10 months useful context for people who are considering a change but are concerned about entering an unfamiliar industry.
What Does a Jim’s Pool Care Franchisee Actually Do?
Wayne says the work covers a bit of everything, from cleans and equipment replacement to robots, basic servicing, test and balance work, green pools and acid washing.
His own summary is simple: “there’s probably nothing we don’t do”. He also says the work can extend “right through the equipment”, showing how varied his day-to-day jobs can be.
Wayne’s Jim’s Pool Care work covers routine cleans, equipment replacement, robots, basic servicing, test and balance work, green pools and acid washing. He says the range is broad enough that “there’s probably nothing we don’t do”, giving customers one point of contact for many common pool care needs.
People wanting more background on the work itself can read how to start a Jim’s Pool Care franchise, including the types of pool maintenance and equipment work involved.
How Does Jim’s Pool Care Help Customers With Different Pool Problems?
If Wayne does not know the answer, he says he will get it for the customer straight away.
He explains that they have a store and carry what they need in the van. Just as importantly, he says they will get an answer when something falls outside what they immediately know.
That approach sits closely with what Wayne calls the “personalised touch”. The focus is not on pretending to know everything. It is on taking ownership of the customer’s question and finding the information needed to move the job forward.
For a customer, that means the person doing the work is also invested in getting the outcome right rather than simply passing the issue on.
What Is Different About Using an Owner-Operated Pool Care Business?
Wayne values the owner-operated approach because he believes being personally invested in the business changes the way customers are treated.
He says, “we’re not stores; we’re the owners of the business, so we’re operating. So we’re invested in it.” For Wayne, that means a customer is not just another transaction.
He wants to do a good job and says he loves seeing customers “again and again”. That points to the part of the business he clearly enjoys: building an ongoing relationship through the quality of the work and the way customers are looked after.
This is also why he describes the service as personalised. He is not separating ownership from the work. He is dealing with customers directly and taking responsibility for the service they receive.
Is It Normal To Feel Nervous About Changing Careers And Starting a Franchise?
Wayne says he was “a bit nervous” when he made the transition and believes everyone probably feels some nerves when making a change.
The reassurance for him came from the standard of the system and the support around him. He describes both as “great”, particularly when coming into a new industry where asking questions is part of learning the job.
Wayne’s experience shows that confidence can develop alongside training, help from the people around you, and practical experience after joining.
For people weighing up the same kind of career move, these Jim’s Pool Care franchise questions provide more perspectives on training, territories and running the business.
What Support Do New Jim’s Pool Care Franchisees Receive?
Wayne says the support has been strong, particularly from the people around him when he needs to ask questions.
He refers to his franchisees and his franchisor, saying everyone is willing to help. That support has mattered because he came into a new industry and naturally had plenty to learn.
Rather than feeling that questions were a problem, Wayne says people were “just great and love to help you out”. That gives him access to people he can turn to when he needs advice or an answer.
The support also connects with the customer experience. Wayne says if he does not know something, he can get the answer. Having a wider support group behind the business helps him follow through on that approach.
What Training Do Jim’s Pool Care Franchisees Receive?
Wayne says he initially had three days down in Victoria, followed by supplier training and continued learning with his group.
One thing that stood out during those first three days was the standard of service expected. Wayne says that was a positive because a high standard is what he wants in the business.
After that initial training, he says there has been “a lot of supplier training”. He also names Chris, his franchisor, as someone who has encouraged the group to keep learning.
That ongoing learning is one of the parts Wayne says he is loving. He does not describe training as something that stopped after the first few days. His comments point to a continuing process of learning from suppliers, his franchisor and the wider support group.
Anyone wanting another franchisee perspective can also read what it is like running a Jim’s Pool Care territory.
What Has Wayne Enjoyed Most About His First 10 Months With Jim’s Pool Care?
The standard of service, the support, and the chance to keep learning are the things that stand out most in Wayne’s comments.
He repeatedly comes back to service standards and support. During the initial three days in Victoria, the expected standard stood out to him. Once he was working in the field, the willingness of people around him to answer questions became equally important.
He also likes that learning continues. Supplier training and encouragement from his franchisor mean he can keep building his knowledge after joining.
After about 10 months with Jim’s, Wayne’s description is uncomplicated: he wanted a change after about 20 years in another industry, he was nervous making the transition, and he is now enjoying the variety, the customer contact, and the support around the business.
If you are considering a similar move, you can learn more about a Jim’s Pool Care franchise and decide whether the business model suits your own goals and circumstances.