Building one franchise is a challenge. Alyce Hem has built a multi-franchise operation with six Jim’s Blinds and Shutters territories, a growing team, and $1 million in sales by July. She explains how the business grew, what she focuses on day-to-day, how she manages customers and staff, and what she believes matters most for someone considering a Jim’s Blinds and Shutters franchise.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
What Is The Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Showroom Used For?
The showroom gives customers a place to see how different blind products work, while also giving the team a practical space for training and regular meetings.
Alyce explains that the site began as a training place where the team could learn installation and understand how the outdoor blinds work. From there, it developed into an internal showroom where customers could be shown different blind options and how they operate.
The team also uses the space to catch up and hold regular meetings every month. That makes the location useful for both customer education and ongoing team development.
Are All Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Products Manufactured At The Same Location?
No, not every product sold by Jim’s Blinds and Shutters is manufactured at the same location.
Alyce says the site manufactures some products through CoverUp, including Coverlight, outdoor blinds and folding arm awnings. Roller blinds can also be produced there, but not all internal blinds come from that manufacturer.
For customers, that means the range is a mix rather than a single product line made entirely in one place. The showroom gives customers the chance to look at different options before choosing what suits their home or needs.
How Did Alyce Hem Get Started With Jim’s Blinds And Shutters?
Alyce moved into a Jim’s Blinds and Shutters franchise after originally working with the manufacturer.
She says the connection developed after meeting Mark. From there, they purchased a franchise and continued growing the business.
Her starting point matters because she already understood the manufacturing side of the industry. However, Alyce later makes clear that she does not believe someone necessarily needs existing blinds skills to run the business. Drive, organisation and willingness to work matter just as much.
How Many Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Franchises Does Alyce Hem Own?
Alyce says the business currently has six franchises, including a new one they had just added at the time of filming.
The goal was to build a multi-franchise model rather than operate as a single small business. Alyce wanted a larger team behind the operation so the business could keep growing while responsibilities were shared across administration, leads, installs, payments, and suppliers.
For people considering their own business, the Jim’s Group franchise opportunities page is a useful next step.
How Does Alyce Manage Multiple Franchises While Raising A Young Child?
Alyce manages the workload through structure, systems, and support from her team.
At the time of filming, she had a 16-month-old child who was in daycare three days a week. Alyce describes the juggle as tough, so she relies heavily on organisation. Everything is written down, put into a calendar, and recorded in the programs the team uses.
She also has an administration team supporting her. Conversations and tasks are recorded so important details do not get lost. For Alyce, managing a growing business is less about remembering everything personally and more about having a system that keeps the work visible.
How Much Turnover Has Alyce’s Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Business Achieved?
Alyce says the business hit a million in sales in July and was aiming to get towards two million the following year.
That figure reflects the combined growth of the multi-franchise operation she describes in the video. She does not present the result as automatic or guaranteed. Instead, the rest of her answers point to the work behind it, including regular customer communication, a structured admin process and close attention to payments, installs and suppliers.
The figure is a real example from Alyce’s business, not an earnings promise for every Jim’s franchisee. Results will depend on the operator, market, workload, and how the business is managed.
What Helps Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Deliver Good Customer Service?
Consistent communication is one of the main things Alyce credits for strong customer service.
Her team calls, sends SMS messages, and emails customers throughout the process. Alyce says customers receive regular updates, and she personally calls when an issue comes up. She also follows up after installation to make sure the customer is happy.
Alyce believes expertise matters, but she places just as much weight on the customer journey. The aim is to make customers feel supported throughout the job rather than feeling as though they simply paid for a one-off service. Prospective franchisees can also review how Jim’s Group supports franchisees across the network.
What Payment Options Can Customers Use?
Customers can pay by credit card over the phone, bank transfer, or Jim’s Pay Plan.
Alyce lists those options as part of the customer experience her team provides. Giving customers more than one way to pay can make the final stage of a job easier, particularly when the customer has already moved through quoting, ordering and installation.
Anyone arranging a job should confirm the payment option available for their specific quote with the local Jim’s Blinds and Shutters operator.
Why Did Alyce Choose The Jim’s Brand?
Alyce says the brand and its focus on customer service are major reasons she values being part of Jim’s Group.
She describes Jim’s as well-known, even though many people still first associate the name with Jim’s Mowing. Her view is that awareness of the other Jim’s divisions is continuing to grow.
That brand recognition fits the way Alyce wants to run her own operation. She repeatedly comes back to communication, follow-up, and making sure customers are happy. Her plan is to keep growing by adding more franchises and strengthening the team behind them.
Do You Need Blinds Experience To Run A Jim’s Blinds And Shutters Franchise?
No, Alyce does not believe existing blinds skills are necessarily the main requirement.
She says drive, organisation and willingness to do the work are more important. A new operator still needs to learn the products, quoting process, installations and business systems, but Alyce’s point is that attitude and work ethic matter.
Prospective operators can review the Jim’s Group franchise training page for more information before deciding whether the model suits them.
What Does Alyce Do Day-to-Day in the Business?
Alyce still runs most of the operation, with administration support focused mainly on leads and bookings.
Her own responsibilities include working through payments, dealing with problems, booking installs, ordering and dealing with suppliers. She also steps into lead support when needed.
That mix shows how a multi-franchise owner can move beyond doing only one task. The role includes customer communication, administration, operations and problem-solving. Building a team has allowed Alyce to spread the workload while keeping oversight of the parts of the business that need her attention.
What Blind Products Are Trending With Customers?
Alyce says Coverlight, the complete blockout system, is a strong current trend.
She specifically points to shift workers, people in similar industries, and nurseries as common use cases. The main benefit she highlights is complete darkness, which can help people who need to sleep during the day and parents trying to create a darker room for babies.
Product choice still depends on the room, the customer and the result they want. A free measure and quote gives customers the chance to discuss the available options for their property.
For a free measure and quote from Jim’s Blinds and Shutters, call 131 546. If you are considering a franchise instead, an observation day with a Jim’s franchisee can help you understand what operating a franchise involves before making a decision.