Conor McGreevy: A Young Entrepreneur’s Success Journey with Jim’s Mowing
At just twenty-two years old, Conor McGreevy started on a bold entrepreneurial journey by purchasing a Jim’s Mowing franchise during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020. Despite the global uncertainty, Conor’s first year saw an impressive turnover of $355,000.
Early Life and Education
Childhood and Family Background
Conor McGreevy was born in the late 1990s and raised in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.
His parents emigrated from Ireland around thirty-five years ago, making Conor a first-generation Australian.
Growing up as the third of four children, Conor enjoyed a lively and engaging childhood.
“It was great fun growing up with so many siblings,” he recalls.
School Life and Interests
Conor’s education began at a small co-ed primary school before transitioning to Waverley College, a boys-only school, in year five or six.
His high school years were spent at St. Joseph’s College, a Marist Brothers school known for its traditional culture.
Conor attended as a day student from year seven to year ten, later becoming a weekly boarder for the last two years.
“By the time I got to year eleven, everything was based around being a boarder. We did everything together,” he shares.
Sport, particularly rugby, was a significant part of Conor’s school life.
“Rugby was very big at St Joseph’s. The whole school watched our games on a Saturday; students had to be there,” he explains.
Conor dreamt of playing for the Wallabies, but by the age of fourteen, he realized that his smaller stature might hinder his chances of becoming a professional athlete.
Influence of Family
Conor’s father worked in the corporate side of a large construction company called Multiplex, rising from project manager to CEO.
His mother was a stay-at-home mom while the kids were young, later taking up various administration jobs.
“My father taught me a lot about work ethics and the importance of hard work. Even if you aren’t the smartest, hard work can take you far,” Conor notes.
Post-School Years and University
Gap Year and Work Experience
After graduating in 2016 without a clear career path, Conor decided to take a gap year.
He worked at his father’s company and later with CPSM Neon, doing pre-works for NBN around New South Wales.
“It was tedious work, but we loved it; we were young and saving so much money,” he recalls.
That period also involved managing older crews and teaching Conor to hold his own in the workforce.
Traveling and Further Work
After working for several months, Conor traveled around Europe with friends for three months, an experience he describes as “the time of my life.”
Upon returning, he resumed work with NBN before starting a business degree at Western Sydney University, majoring in property.
“I still didn’t know what I wanted to do; I didn’t have my sights set on anything specific,” he admits.
Entrepreneurial Beginnings
During his second year at university, Conor and his friend James started a gardening business called Other Side Gardens.
“We saw it as an opportunity to make better money than we would working for someone else,” he explains.
James, who had experience in gardening, taught Conor everything he knew, and they ran the business during their summer break and alongside their studies for about six months.
Discovering Jim’s Mowing
Initial Curiosity
While studying for his mid-year exams abroad, Conor began contemplating how to improve their gardening business.
“I was sitting there procrastinating and thinking, ‘Oh my God, how can we make our business better?’” he recalls.
His curiosity led him to explore Jim’s Mowing, a well-known franchise in Australia.
Meeting with a Franchisee
Conor listened to Jim Penman’s audiobook, “Every Customer a Fan,” and arranged a meeting with a Jim’s Mowing franchisee.
Initially, he pretended to be interested in buying a franchise to gather information.
“I couldn’t believe he’d want to turn away all that work when he could be making so much more money,” Conor says.
That meeting sparked his serious interest in becoming a franchisee.
Financial Challenges and Solutions
To afford the franchise, which cost between $45,000 and $46,000 including the car, trailer, and equipment, Conor needed to get creative with financing.
He tapped into his superannuation, which was allowed during COVID-19, and approached his parents for a $30,000 loan.
“After much thought, they agreed, giving me an interest rate on par with a bank rate,” Conor shares.
The combination of savings, superannuation, and the loan enabled him to purchase the franchise.
Starting the Business
Early Days and First Lead
Conor took over some clients from the previous owner who had a shoulder injury, easing his transition.
He received his first lead on July 16, 2020, and business quickly began to build up.
“It was great to see it come to life, to see the evidence of everything they’d hyped up,” he says.
First Year Success
In his first year, Conor turned over $355,000, far exceeding his initial goal of $180,000.
He took on his first staff member within three months and worked long hours, seven days a week, both on the tools and handling business administration.
“I’d start work at about six in the morning and come home from my last job at six in the evening, then finish the admin between eleven and twelve at night,” he recalls.
Conor’s relentless schedule eventually led to burnout, teaching him the importance of balance.
Hiring and Delegation
Realizing the need to build his business sustainably, Conor focused on hiring and delegating tasks.
“I never said no to new work, which was a blessing but sometimes felt like a curse,” he admits.
By the end of his first year, he had five staff members and an administrative assistant, allowing him to step back from the daily physical work.
Business Growth and Financial Management
Strategic Investments
Conor reinvested his earnings back into the business, purchasing two work vehicles outright.
Despite the high initial costs, this strategy provided tax benefits and contributed to a 30% profit margin in the first year.
“I calculated that I was better off using that money to buy more vehicles to put on the road to generate more income rather than paying off a loan for the sake of paying it off,” he explains.
Learning from Mentors
Conor’s father provided invaluable business mentorship, offering guidance and reassurance.
Living with his parents during the early stages allowed him to constantly seek advice.
Additionally, Conor learned from other successful gardening companies, adapting their systems and practices to his own business.
“I’ve always learned as I go by asking people,” he says.
Customer Service and Work Ethic
Maintaining a high level of customer service has been crucial to Conor’s success.
His business boasts a 4.9-star rating on Google, even with the high volume of jobs it handles.
“I am competitive by nature. I want to be better than everyone else,” he states.
Conor’s drive, combined with the strong work ethic instilled by his parents, has been a key factor in his achievements.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Just Get Started
Conor encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take the plunge and start their businesses.
“It’s very easy to doubt yourself or question what you’re doing, but just try everything,” he advises.
Learning through experience and being willing to make mistakes are essential parts of the journey.
Hiring and Managing Staff
Hiring the right staff and managing them effectively are crucial for business growth.
Conor emphasizes the importance of respect and proper training.
“If you put your staff first, they will enjoy their work. They are the ones who are face-to-face with customers every day and will look after your customers,” he explains.
Systematizing the Business
Developing systems and processes is vital for sustainable growth.
“The business needs to be built around the idea that it can work without me,” Conor states.
By creating detailed systems for every aspect of the business, he ensures that operations can continue smoothly even in his absence.
Future Goals
Business Expansion
Conor no longer works on the tools, focusing instead on quoting and scheduling jobs.
He is also venturing into a new business, household rubbish removal, which complements his mowing franchise.
“I look at it as building a little ecosystem of clients where things bounce back and forth, eventually turning into more work,” he says.
Long-Term Vision
At twenty-three, Conor is cautious with his earnings, reinvesting in his business rather than spending on lifestyle.
His future goals include buying a house and a warehouse for the business.
He is impressed with the Jim’s franchise model and its adaptability to the Australian lifestyle, aiming to continue growing and diversifying his ventures.
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