Chris Pivac, a Jim’s Mowing franchise owner in WA, recently shared valuable insights about business growth, quoting, and building strong customer relationships that every franchisee should hear.
After just two months in the system, Chris has already grown from 60 to 97 regular clients, with 162 total jobs serviced, and a perfect five star rating across 43 reviews.
From Idea to Action
Chris had thought about joining Jim’s Group for nearly a decade before finally making the leap.
“It’s always been something that’s floated around in the back of my head,” he told interviewer Joel Kleber.
“I’m a very hands-on person anyway. I enjoy the outdoors. So it was a no-brainer for me. The transition’s been fantastic”.
Training in Melbourne confirmed he’d made the right choice.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” Chris said.
“Guys like John Wildes and Matt Thorp, how they operate their business really resonated with me. I knew then I was making the right decision.”
Support from his franchisors in WA made the process smooth and quick.
The Power of the Jim’s Brand
For Chris, the work has come in quickly thanks to the strength of the brand.
“I didn’t have to go out there and get the work a lot of the time because of the Jim’s brand. It came to me, and you feel obligated to uphold the franchise values and do the work right,” he said.
With more than 5,500 franchisees, Jim’s Group is Australia’s largest franchise network, and Chris believes that reputation is what gives him an edge in a competitive market.
Building Trust with Communication
Chris’s approach to customer service is simple: clear communication and genuine rapport.
“The night before, using the Jim’s job app, I texted them. Just, ‘Hey, it’s Chris from Jim’s letting you know about your service tomorrow.’ If I see a hedge that needs cleaning, I’ll take a photo, send it with a cost, and usually win that work too,” he explained.
That customer-first mindset shows in his results.
“Without your customers and communicating with them, you haven’t got a business,” Chris said.
Smart Pricing and Quoting
Quoting is one of the biggest challenges for new franchisees, but Chris has developed a method that works.
“I look at the lawn, I go, that’s the size, and then I might go up five or ten dollars. That way, if I get this job, I’ve already covered price increases,” he explained.
He also focuses on building relationships before talking about price.
“Sometimes I talk to my customer for a good minute just to get to know them. Most of the time they say, when can you start, before you even get to price,” he said.
Expanding Services with Tech
Chris has also been quick to use technology to stand out.
For one landscaping project, he used AI to generate visual mockups of what the finished job could look like.
“I typed in 30 meter lily pilly hedging, mulching on the right, plus a ground cover. It came up perfect. Sent that to the client with a scope of work, and he got back to me in five minutes, said, Let’s do this,” Chris recalled.
Lessons for Franchise Owners
Chris’s rapid success offers clear lessons for Jim’s franchisees:
- Leverage the Jim’s brand to attract work, but always uphold its reputation.
- Communicate proactively with customers to build trust and loyalty.
- Approach quoting with confidence, factoring in future price rises.
- Use technology creatively to win jobs and impress clients.
Reflecting on his journey, Chris said, “Highly recommend the brand, highly recommend what they do. There has not been one flaw so far”.
For anyone considering franchising, his story shows how quality, communication, and smart systems can create quick success.
To learn more about starting your own business with Jim’s, visit jims.net.