TL;DR
In short: A Jim’s Blinds franchise suits sales-minded operators who want a system-backed business and clear ways to reduce customer risk. Alan Cossens explains how he sells, measures, and quotes in-home, then delivers thermal-focused solutions that fix comfort, light, and privacy problems.
BLUF: In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Jim’s Group franchisee Alan Cossens from Jim’s Blinds, Shutters & Awnings in Narre Warren explains how he moved from builder-focused work at Victory Blinds into running his own franchise, using on-site measuring and in-home quoting plus thermal-first honeycomb blind options to solve heat, light, privacy, and fit issues.
A Jim’s blinds franchise works best when you can sell, build rapport, and run your week with discipline. Alan has operated his Jim’s Blinds, Shutters & Awnings territory in Narre Warren for about seven years and is pushing towards over a million dollars a year in revenue. This article covers his professional pivot, the practical science behind honeycomb blinds, and the Jim’s system advantages that protect customers from costly mistakes.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Did Alan Choose A Jim’s Blinds Franchise?
Alan did not jump in cold.
He worked in the blinds industry for about eight years at Victory Blinds, starting around 2010. He looked after builders and major accounts and described it as “a business within a business.”
Then the opportunity landed through someone already in the franchise.
When Alan started, the franchise leaned on a unique product called ScreenAway. That made early selling easier because they did not face direct competitors selling the same thing.
Then ScreenAway got sold.
Alan had to rebuild the business into a full-range blinds operation with indoor and outdoor offerings, just like the wider market. He called it a rocky start.
He also explained what fixed it.
Planning. Budgeting. And tightening the sales process so the customer makes decisions with all options on the table, in the home, on the spot.
If you are researching ownership, this is the part most people miss: you are not buying a job. You are buying a structure. That’s why the first step should be understanding the pathway and expectations here before you get stuck on product brochures.
How Do Honeycomb Blinds Reduce Heat And Cold?
Honeycomb blinds insulate because they trap air.
Alan describes the honeycomb design as looking like an accordion, with pockets that hold air. That trapped air acts as an insulator.
In plain terms, the blind creates a thermal buffer between the room and the glass.
Alan also explained the window problem in a way most homeowners immediately recognise.
Big glass looks good, but it behaves differently from walls. On a cold night, the window is the weak point. In summer, the window becomes the heat entry point. So the room can feel uncomfortable even when the heater or air-con is running.
That’s where the honeycomb structure matters.
Why does it outperform standard methods?
A standard blind mainly blocks light and gives privacy. It helps, but it’s still a flat layer.
A honeycomb blind adds a designed pocket of air. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so that pocket slows heat transfer. It does not make a window “double-glazed,” but it can meaningfully reduce the sense that the room is fighting the outside temperature all day.
Alan also called out a common complaint that sounds like a gap problem, but often isn’t.
People say they feel a “draft” near windows. Alan’s point: sometimes it is not air leaking in. It is thermals moving around inside the room because the glass is hotter or colder than the surrounding air. A window covering helps reduce that movement.
Why suited to Australian conditions
Australian homes often have large windows, sliding doors, and strong afternoon sun. In many areas, you can get hot afternoons and cooler nights in the same week, sometimes on the same day.
A thermal-first choice works well because it targets comfort, not just looks.
Pro Tips from Alan’s approach
- Start with the problem, not the product. Ask what the window must do: block light, cut heat, add privacy, or improve comfort. Then match the blind to that outcome.
- Treat west-facing windows differently. If heat hits hard late in the day, consider stronger shading strategies, then choose the internal product that improves comfort after sunset.
- Do not gamble on measurements for shutters. Alan’s point stands: plantation shutters need millimetre accuracy. If you miss by a millimetre, the fit fails.
What Do You Get In A Jim’s Blinds Franchise?
Alan made the customer difference very clear.
In many blind companies, one person sells, another schedules, another installs, and another handles issues. If something goes wrong, the customer chases multiple people.
Alan runs it differently.
He quotes in the home, then owns the outcome. He told customers that if something goes wrong, “there’s only one person to get yelled at, and it’s the bloke in the mirror.”
That owner-operator accountability matters most when the job value climbs into the thousands.
Alan also highlighted a risk homeowners often ignore.
Some operators undercut heavily, then run into financial trouble. Customers lose deposits and still need the job done. Alan gave a real example of customers losing seven, $8,000 in deposits.
This is where a system matters.
Jim’s supports franchisees with training, shared processes, and brand standards that reduce the “cowboy risk” customers fear. It also gives customers clearer expectations around warranty and follow-through, because the operator is not floating alone.
From a franchise perspective, Alan also addressed the common fee myth.
People assume a franchise takes “30% or 40% of your income.” Alan said it is not structured like that. He described a set fee model, with lead fees fluctuating depending on how many leads you take. He views lead fees as a normal marketing cost.
If you want the breakdown of how franchise fees work, read this.
If earnings are your first question, compare benchmarks here.
Alan also made an honesty point that matters for operators.
You still need to manage cash flow. You still need to keep your calendar under control. You still need to do the work. The system helps, but it does not replace discipline.
If you want to understand what happens before you launch, including training and expectations, click here.
What Does Blinds Work Look Like In Narre Warren?
In Narre Warren and the broader Melbourne south-east, the housing mix drives the product mix.
You see family homes, newer builds, larger window spans, and outdoor areas designed for entertaining. That changes what people ask for, and why.
Alan described a strong demand for:
- Outdoor blinds and awnings through warmer months
- Alfresco enclosures so families can use outdoor areas through winter
- Blockout and thermal-focused options for bedrooms, kids’ rooms, and shift workers
He also highlighted a key reality in this market.
Windows are not standard sizes. That creates DIY failure points, especially for shutters and custom installs.
Alan’s approach reduces that risk by measuring and quoting on site. He then walks customers through options A, B, C, and D in the home, so they choose based on comfort, privacy, and budget instead of guessing from a website.
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Measuring and quoting | Often quoted later, more back-and-forth | Measures and quotes in-home, on-site |
| Product range | Can be locked into one supplier or one “best” option | Can offer options A, B, C, and D based on need and budget |
| Accountability | Sales rep, scheduler, installer, warranty team | One owner-operator owns the outcome |
| Warranty risk | Businesses may disappear after undercutting | Backed by a national system plus Jim’s National Guarantee |
| Support for tricky jobs | Limited peer support | Franchise support, training, and shared problem-solving |
“Alan Cossens, Jim’s Blinds, Shutters & Awnings franchisee in Melbourne: ‘If something goes wrong, there’s only one person to get yelled at, and it’s the bloke in the mirror.’“
FAQ: Jim’s Blinds Franchise Questions People Actually Ask
Alan said a six-figure income should be achievable, even if not in year one. Results depend on sales ability, conversion, and managing margins.
Alan said no. He described a set fee model, with lead fees fluctuating based on how many leads you take.
Alan treats it like any marketing cost. He pointed out that generating quality leads takes real spend and work, not just “chucking a Facebook ad on there.”
Alan said yes, depending on location and local networks. He described installer networks that can handle heavier installs, while the owner focuses on quoting, selling, and quality control.
Alan’s answer comes down to tolerance. Plantation shutters need millimetre accuracy. If you miss by a millimetre, the fit fails or looks wrong.
Alan explained that honeycomb blinds trap air and act as insulation at the window. They help reduce heat loss in winter and reduce heat gain in summer, especially in large glass and problem rooms.
Alan said the best performers stay customer-oriented and understand numbers, margins, and conversion. Product knowledge is a learning curve, so new operators should rely on training and structure early.
Key Takeaways
- Measure and quote on site to remove guesswork and speed decisions.
- Sell outcomes, not products: light control, privacy, heat, and fit.
- Use honeycomb blinds when thermal comfort drives the decision.
- Budget tightly and track weekly, not just monthly.
- Build referral engines, so lead flow does not rely on luck.
Take The Next Step
Book A Local Measure And Quote
Want blinds, shutters, or awnings that fit properly and solve the real problem in the room? Use your local Jim’s Blinds, Shutters & Awnings specialist for on-site measuring, clear options, and professional standards backed by the Jim’s National Guarantee.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Blinds, Shutters & Awnings today.
Explore Franchise Ownership With Jim’s
Alan’s story shows what happens when a sales-minded operator pairs discipline and budgeting with a national system and support network.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.