Starting a new business venture can be both exhilarating and challenging, and that’s exactly the rollercoaster ride that Matthew, a recent Jim’s Mowing franchisee, has experienced in his first 30 days on the job.
Matthew shares the ups and downs, the challenges and triumphs, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned as he navigates the world of lawn care entrepreneurship.
The Leap into Franchising
For Matthew, the decision to become a Jim’s Mowing franchisee wasn’t one made lightly.
He had been contemplating the move for the past two years, intrigued by the system and the potential it offered.
However, the financial commitment held him back until he received a payout from the military, allowing him to take the plunge.
Matthew’s background is a diverse one – he holds a law degree but found the legal industry unfulfilling, leading him to explore alternative career paths.
It was during this time that Matthew’s interest in Jim’s Mowing was piqued.
The decision to make the switch was not without its challenges, but Matthew was determined to make it work.
Navigating the Demands of a Booming Business
As Matthew quickly discovered, the life of a Jim’s Mowing franchisee is anything but slow-paced.
In just seven weeks, he’s already amassed an impressive 180 leads and 46 regular clients, with the numbers continuing to grow.
The influx of new business has presented its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to managing time and expectations.
One such example was a client who called Matthew on Christmas Eve, demanding that he come over and mow the lawn immediately.
“I had a guy ring me at 5:00 pm Christmas Eve, ‘Come come over now and do my lawn,’ and I said, ‘Okay, it’ll be $500 for me to come out and mow your lawn,’ and he said, ‘No, no, that’s too much,’ and I said, ‘Well, you need to wait then.’”
Despite the occasional challenging client, Matthew has found ways to manage the influx of work and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“I have my book with me, record, and I have it down one page says quotes all the quotes I need to do, and the other page is the list of jobs,” he explains.
“I’ve been telling people that, you know, if you want it done, it’ll be two weeks or three weeks. A lot of people leave it to the last minute and they want it done.”
Adapting to the Physical Demands of the Job
In addition to the logistical challenges, Matthew has also had to contend with the physical demands of the job, particularly in the hot and humid climate of Queensland.
Despite the physical strain, Matthew has found a sense of satisfaction in the work itself.
“When you finish and you look back on it and you see, you know, there’s a long grass at the start, and then at the end, it’s looking all right, looking good,” he says.
“You see that job satisfaction multiple times a day, whereas us who work in the office, we don’t know, we might not see anything for three months or six months or know why we’re working on it.”
To help manage the physical demands, Matthew has invested in a range of battery-powered equipment, though he’s still getting used to using it.
Matthew has also sought advice from the Jim’s Mowing team on the best equipment to use, and they’ve been instrumental in guiding him towards the right tools for the job.
Leveraging the Jim’s Mowing System
One of the key factors that drew Matthew to the Jim’s Mowing franchise was the proven system and the support network it offers.
As part of the Jim’s Mowing franchise, Matthew has access to a dedicated support manager, Kingy, who has been a valuable resource throughout the process.
The training provided by Jim’s Mowing has also been a crucial component of Matthew’s success, though he acknowledges that there’s always room for improvement.
Despite the occasional hiccup, Matthew has found the Jim’s Mowing system to be a valuable asset in his entrepreneurial journey.
Embracing the Freedom and Flexibility of Entrepreneurship
One of the biggest draws of becoming a Jim’s Mowing franchisee for Matthew was the freedom and flexibility it offered.
“The best thing for me about doing my own business is probably the freedom,” he says.
“I’ve even had a week off in that time, just to be able to do that at short notice, take the kids away. I was still taking leads when I was on holidays from people, so I think just the freedom to be able to finish, you know, 4:00 in the afternoon or start late if I want to.”
This newfound freedom has been a game-changer for Matthew, who previously struggled with the rigid structure of the legal industry.
Now, Matthew is embracing the autonomy and control that comes with running his own business.
Advice for Aspiring Jim’s Mowing Franchisees
For those considering taking the leap into Jim’s Mowing franchising, Matthew has some valuable advice to share.
“I would say jump at it, do it, you won’t regret it,” he says.
“Probably do it start off in Winter, not in Summer – that’s not a bad idea of advice now.”
He also emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and not being afraid to say no.
“The most difficult thing is balancing the people’s expectations,” he explains.
“You like people ringing you up and demanding it be done today, and it’s like, it doesn’t work. I think you’re free all the time, just sitting around waiting for the phone.”
Matthew’s strategy for dealing with this has been to set clear boundaries and communicate them effectively.
“I’ve actually dropped a client because he rang me at 1:30 on Sunday morning,” he says.
“I just hung up and sent him a message saying, ‘Sorry, I think you need to go elsewhere.’”
Looking ahead, Matthew has ambitious plans for the future of his Jim’s Mowing franchise.
“My plan is to start off employing someone tomorrow, and then in about six months, I’ll employ another one,” he says.
“And I’m going to start up with Jim’s cleaning franchise as well.”
For those interested in learning more about Jim’s Mowing and the franchise opportunities available, be sure to check out the Jim’s Group website or call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand.
You can also connect with the Jim’s Group on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Jim’s Group YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest news, advice, and insights from the world of franchising and entrepreneurship.
Matthew’s journey as a Jim’s Mowing franchisee has been a rollercoaster ride, but one that he’s embracing with open arms.
From the challenges of managing expectations and physical demands to the joys of newfound freedom and flexibility, he’s navigating the ups and downs with resilience and determination.
As he continues to grow his business and explore new opportunities within the Jim’s Group, Matthew’s story serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
For those considering a similar path, his advice is clear: “Jump at it, do it, you won’t regret it.”
- Matthew’s background includes a law degree and experience in the legal industry, but he found the work unfulfilling and sought a more rewarding career path.
- In just 7 weeks, Matthew has already amassed 180 leads and 46 regular clients, a testament to the demand for Jim’s Mowing services.
- Managing client expectations and the physical demands of the job have been two of the biggest challenges, but Matthew has found ways to adapt and thrive.
- The Jim’s Mowing franchise system and support network have been invaluable, with a dedicated support manager and training program helping Matthew navigate the early stages of his entrepreneurial journey.
- The freedom and flexibility of running his own business have been a game-changer for Matthew, allowing him to achieve a better work-life balance.
- Matthew’s advice for aspiring Jim’s Mowing franchisees is to “jump at it, do it, you won’t regret it,” while also emphasizing the importance of managing expectations and not being afraid to say no.
To learn more about the Jim’s Group and the franchise opportunities available, visit the Jim’s Group website, call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand, or connect with them on social media:
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Jim’s Group YouTube channel for more inspiring stories, expert advice, and insights from the world of franchising and entrepreneurship.