Owning a franchise can be an exciting and rewarding path to entrepreneurship, but it’s not without its challenges.
That’s why it’s so inspiring to hear stories of franchisees who have found incredible success in their first few months.
One such franchisee is Cat Barret, who recently launched a Jim’s Laundry Services franchise in Mildura.
In just her first 30 days, Cat has already built an impressive client base and is on track to earn over $4,000 per week – an astounding achievement for a brand new business.
Learn from Cat’s journey, the strategies she’s used to grow her franchise so quickly, and her top tips for aspiring Jim’s franchisees.
From Advocate to Entrepreneur
Before launching her Jim’s Laundry Services franchise, Cat had a diverse professional background.
She had previously worked as an advocate in the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) space, supporting individuals with disabilities.
Cat also had experience running small businesses and a strong administrative skillset from her early career.
Cat’s personal connection to the NDIS has been a major asset in growing her laundry franchise.
As the parent of a child with a disability, Cat has firsthand experience navigating the NDIS system.
This has given her unique insights into the needs of NDIS clients and how to effectively serve them.
Tapping Into the NDIS Market
One of Cat’s key strategies for launching her franchise successfully was to leverage her NDIS connections and expertise.
She explains that she first learned about the Jim’s Laundry Services opportunity through a post in a local NDIS Facebook group.
From there, Cat was contacted by the general manager of a major disability service provider in her area.
Her background in the NDIS field and understanding of the unique needs of this client base gave her a significant advantage.
Cat emphasizes that getting involved with NDIS-related Facebook groups and online communities is a great way for franchisees to connect with potential clients.
Many NDIS service providers and coordinators use these groups to find reliable, local service providers.
She also recommends that franchisees check the NDIS provider finder tool on the official NDIS website.
This allows you to search for NDIS clients in your local area and reach out directly.
Leveraging Social Media
In addition to tapping into the NDIS market, Cat has also found great success with her social media strategy.
She explains that Facebook in particular has been an invaluable free advertising channel for her new franchise.
Cat’s approach involves posting a mix of content – from introducing her new laundry services, to sharing laundry tips and memes.
The goal is to establish a personal connection with her audience, rather than just constantly promoting her business.
Cat recommends posting 3-4 times per week at different times of day to keep her content visible.
She also finds that more casual, relatable posts tend to get the best engagement from her followers.
Streamlining Operations
Of course, building a successful franchise is about more than just marketing – you also need to have efficient, reliable operations.
This is an area where Cat has also excelled in her first 30 days.
One of Cat’s key strategies has been developing systems to prevent mix-ups with her clients’ laundry.
As she explains, this is a common concern for many people when outsourcing their laundry.
To address this, Cat has implemented a few clever solutions:
- Custom laundry bags with the franchise’s branding and the client’s contact information
- Detailed checklists to track which linens belong to which client
- Colored labels to identify which machines are being used for each client’s laundry
These systems help Cat and her team stay organized and ensure that every client’s laundry is returned to them correctly.
Building Relationships
While the operational side of the business is crucial, Cat emphasizes that relationship-building is equally important for the success of her franchise.
She’s found that taking a personalized, empathetic approach with her clients has been key.
Cat shares the example of a client who is a grandparent caring for their grandchildren.
The client was initially self-conscious about the amount of laundry, but Cat was able to reassure them and build trust.
By approaching her clients with understanding and flexibility, Cat has been able to provide a truly valuable service that makes their lives easier.
This personal touch has been instrumental in driving repeat business and referrals.
Leveraging the Jim’s Brand
Of course, Cat hasn’t built this success entirely on her own.
As a Jim’s franchisee, she’s been able to leverage the power of the well-known Jim’s brand.
The comprehensive training and support provided by the Jim’s team has also been invaluable.
Cat and her husband, who owns a Jim’s Mowing franchise, spent a few days training with the Jim’s Laundry Services team to get up to speed on best practices.
This hands-on training, combined with the ongoing support from the Jim’s head office, has given Cat the confidence and know-how to hit the ground running with her new franchise.
Rapid Growth and Expansion Plans
Cat’s impressive results in her first 30 days are a testament to the power of her strategic approach.
She’s already earning over $4,000 per week – a figure that has even surprised some of her more experienced peers in the industry.
Cat attributes her rapid growth to a combination of factors – her NDIS connections, savvy social media strategy, operational efficiency, and the support of the Jim’s brand.
But she’s quick to note that there’s no “secret” to her success.
“I’m thinking to myself that there’s no real secret to it, it’s just I think for us we were in the right place at the right time putting the words out there for these services.”
Looking ahead, Cat and her husband are already planning for significant expansion.
Her husband is even considering selling his existing Jim’s Mowing franchise to come on board and help grow the laundry business.
With a major NDIS service provider already interested in scaling up their partnership, Cat is preparing to take on a significant influx of new clients in the coming months.
She’s exploring options like renting a commercial property to house her own laundry equipment, rather than relying solely on local laundromats.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Franchisees
Cat’s remarkable success in her first 30 days offers valuable lessons for anyone considering a Jim’s franchise. Here are her top tips:
Leverage Your Existing Connections and Expertise
- If you have experience or connections in a specific industry, like Cat’s NDIS background, find ways to tap into that market.
- Get involved with relevant online communities and groups to connect with potential clients.
Develop Efficient, Organized Systems
- Implement processes and tools to streamline your operations and prevent mix-ups.
- This will help you scale your business more effectively as it grows.
Focus on Building Relationships
- Take a personalized, empathetic approach with your clients.
- Prioritize providing excellent service and making their lives easier.
Leverage the Power of the Jim’s Brand
- Take advantage of the comprehensive training and ongoing support provided by the Jim’s team.
- The Jim’s name recognition can open doors and give you a competitive edge.
Be Prepared for Rapid Growth
- Have a plan in place to scale your operations as your client base expands.
- Consider bringing on additional help, like Cat’s husband, to manage the workload.
By following Cat’s lead and combining strategic thinking with hard work, aspiring Jim’s franchisees can position themselves for incredible success, just like she has.
To learn more about owning a Jim’s Laundry Services franchise, visit the Jim’s Group website or call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand.
Be sure to check out the Jim’s Group podcast for more inspiring stories and business advice.