Are you tired of the corporate grind and dreaming of a more fulfilling, flexible lifestyle?
The journey of John and Sharon Clark from the 9-to-5 to building a thriving Jim’s Mowing franchise might just be the inspiration you need to take the leap.
In this candid interview with Joel Kleber, the Clarks share their powerful story – from John’s transition from a high-pressure job at News Limited to becoming a Jim’s Mowing franchisee, to Sharon’s background in QSR franchising, and how they teamed up to take their business to new heights.
You’ll get an inside look at the realities of running a Jim’s Mowing franchise – the initial adjustments, the earning potential, the support systems in place, and the unexpected lifestyle perks that come with being your own boss.
Whether you’re considering a career change or simply want to learn more about the Jim’s Mowing opportunity, this in-depth article has you covered.
Why John Left Corporate Life to Start a Jim’s Mowing Business
John swapped corporate stress for a mower and hasn’t looked back.
His journey shows how life can change when you follow what you love.
“It was time to find something else,” John recalls.
“Sharon said to me, ‘You always love mowing our lawn – why don’t you go give Jim’s Mowing a go?’“
That was 14 years ago, and John has never looked back.
He’s now a seasoned franchisee, and for the past 4 years, he’s also been a franchisor, sharing his wealth of experience with new Jim’s Mowing owners.
How John and Sharon Built a Thriving Jim’s Mowing Franchise Together
With John’s hands-on experience and Sharon’s franchising know-how, the Clarks created a powerhouse team.
Their skills are perfectly aligned for success.
“My role essentially hasn’t changed,” Sharon explains.
“I still support people in the same way I supported them elsewhere. It’s just a different vehicle of what the business is – home service as opposed to the QSR.“
The Clarks’ complementary expertise has been a driving force behind their success.
As John puts it, “Our skill sets basically married up perfectly” when the opportunity arose for them to take on a new franchise partner.
What New Franchisees Should Know Before Joining Jim’s Mowing
Franchise life comes with big opportunities—and important realities.
The Clarks share what every new franchisee should ask first.
“Be prepared to be out there early,” John says.
“It might mean some days that you finish a bit earlier and you get to go and do some stuff with your kids or go to their sports training. But it also means if you start at seven and more work does come in, you can be prepared to take as much of that as you possibly can.“
Sharon also highlights the importance of understanding the franchise’s fee structure, which is a flat monthly fee with a variable lead fee.
This model, she explains, becomes increasingly advantageous as the business grows:
“The more you earn, the smaller as a proportion of your earnings your fees are. To a point, very quickly, they become insignificant because they don’t increase with the more money you can put on more trailers, you can put on more staff.“
Is the Physical Work Hard When Starting a Mowing Franchise?
The early weeks are an adjustment, but the rewards are real.
This is the kind of tired that feels satisfying, not draining.
“It probably takes a couple of months to get used to it,” John says.
“I looked like a human skull after a couple of months because I’d lost so much weight and I found it all again. But you get used to it, and once you’re used to it, it’s like, ‘Why didn’t I do this earlier?’“
The Clarks also highlight the importance of building “mowing fitness” – a unique type of physical conditioning that comes with the job.
They encourage new franchisees to embrace the learning curve and not be deterred by the initial physical demands.
Can Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Offer More Than Lawn Mowing?
With over 16 services to choose from, franchisees can tailor their business.
Landscaping, gutter cleaning, hedging—flexibility drives growth.
“There are about 16 services in total, and you can turn on or off as many of those as you like to suit the type of work that you want to do as a franchisee,” John explains.
This flexibility allows franchisees to tailor their offerings to their local market and personal preferences, ensuring they can build a thriving, sustainable business.
How Flexible Is Your Schedule as a Jim’s Mowing Franchisee?
Franchisees set their own hours and service areas.
It’s all about creating efficiency and freedom in how you run your day.
“You can turn yourself on or off work any day of the week that you want to,” John says.
“If something comes through outside of those hours, it comes through the next morning, and you deal with it then.”
Additionally, while franchisees have a designated territory, they’re encouraged to take on work outside of that area as well.
The Jim’s Mowing system allows them to strategically select the suburbs they service, ensuring they can maximize efficiency and minimize time spent traveling.
Can You Scale Your Jim’s Mowing Business With Staff and Trailers?
There’s no cap on growth.
Some Jim’s franchisees run multiple crews across five trailers—and it’s all within reach.
“We’ve got quite a few guys with multiple trailers,” John shares.
“There’s one that’s about to build his fifth trailer, and he’s got so he’s got five crews out there going off in different directions and going about their day.“
This flexibility to scale the business as needed is a significant advantage, allowing franchisees to capitalize on growth opportunities and build a thriving, multi-faceted operation.
How Much Can You Earn With a Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Top earners bring in over $1M a year.
With low overhead and high demand, this franchise delivers real ROI and financial freedom.
“We’ve got three guys in our region that are over a million dollars a year,” John reveals.
“There’s a guy at Norman Park who’s been around 15 years, and he’s got two, sometimes three, trailers on the road, with four to six staff, and he’s around about the 1.5 million dollar mark.“
The Clarks also emphasize the exceptional return on investment that Jim’s Mowing franchises can offer.
They share the story of a franchisee named Darren, who transitioned from a high-paying corporate job to build a Jim’s Mowing business that’s now generating around $600,000 to $700,000 in revenue within just two years.
“He’s quite well, if not fortunate, I guess he’s made his own luck,” John says.
“But his two employees were actually previously franchisees who were happy to just be going out and doing the work and not running a business.“
These success stories highlight the incredible earning potential and the ability to build a thriving, scalable business within the Jim’s Mowing franchise system.
Can Jim’s Mowing Help You Spend More Time With Family?
Flexible schedules let franchisees show up for school runs and weekend races.
For many, it’s the best part of the job.
“It just gave us a hell of a lot of flexibility,” John reflects.
“I’d say, ‘What time’s your race on?’ And I’d go and do three mows from 7:00 in the morning, get there at 10:00, watch a race, and then go back out and do more work. It just gave us a better relationship with our kids, ultimately.“
This sentiment is echoed by many Jim’s Mowing franchisees, who find that the freedom and flexibility of the business enable them to enjoy a more fulfilling, balanced lifestyle – one that allows them to be there for their families and pursue their passions outside of work.
Do Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Get Enough Support and Community?
With eight meetings a year and 24/7 support, you’re never on your own.
Franchisees help each other grow through connection and community.
“We do eight meetings a year, so a couple of them will be in the park, we’ll do some demo days, instructional days,” Sharon explains.
“But the most important element about every one of our meetings is what happens between the franchises after the official part of it, and that is the networking.“
This camaraderie and knowledge-sharing among franchisees is invaluable, allowing new owners to learn from the experiences of their more seasoned counterparts.
Additionally, the Clarks and the broader Jim’s Mowing team are always available to provide hands-on support, troubleshooting, and guidance as needed.
Ready to Ditch the 9-to-5? Here’s How Jim’s Mowing Can Help
John and Sharon’s story proves what’s possible.
If you’re ready to ditch the 9-to-5, Jim’s Mowing offers the tools, support, and freedom to start fresh.
As John and Sharon Clark’s story illustrates, the Jim’s Mowing system offers a proven path to success, with the support, resources, and earning potential to help you build a thriving, sustainable business.
Whether you’re looking to replace your corporate income or simply enjoy a better work-life balance, this franchise could be the game-changer you’ve been searching for.
To learn more about the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, be sure to check out the resources in the video description.
You can also reach out to the team at 131546 or visit jimsmowing.com.au to start your journey towards mowing freedom.
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