In a world where the corporate ladder often feels like a never-ending climb, one young man, Jack, decided to take a bold leap and trade in his high-paying sales manager role for the freedom and fulfillment of running his own Jim’s Mowing franchise.
In this inspiring interview with Joel Kleber, he shares how he found success, work-life balance, and a renewed sense of purpose through lawn care and gardening.
Why Jack Left His High-Paying Corporate Job for Jim’s Mowing
Jack walked away from a high-paying corporate job to take back his time and freedom.
His decision to pursue a Jim’s Mowing franchise gave him control over his schedule—and his life.
The turning point came when Jack realized he could turn his long-standing joke about starting a Jim’s Mowing franchise into a reality.
“I’d always joked in the past, you know, on days where I sort of wasn’t happy with work, I’d say, ‘Bugger this, I’m starting a Jim’s franchise,‘” he explains.
“And then when push came to shove, it was like, ‘Well, actually, I might actually check it out.’“
How Jack’s Outdoor Lifestyle Made the Jim’s Mowing Franchise a Natural Fit | A Joel Kleber Interview
With no professional lawn care experience, Jack leaned on his outdoor lifestyle and family history.
The fit with Jim’s Mowing felt natural from day one.
Beyond his family’s influence, Jack’s own outdoor-oriented lifestyle also played a role in his decision to pursue a Jim’s Mowing franchise.
“I live a pretty outdoor lifestyle as well. We live on 5 acres, and we have horses. So I sort of was already that way inclined, you know, as opposed to, say, you know, doing something like cleaning or car detailing. You know, it’s sort of aligned with what I was sort of already into to an extent.“
What Kind of Clients Can You Expect When You Join Jim’s Mowing?
Jack focuses on fewer, high-quality clients who value expert care.
His quality-first mindset is what makes his business sustainable and profitable.
Jack started with around 35-40 regular clients, with varying degrees of frequency and different types of jobs.
He focused primarily on mowing and hedging, with some gardening jobs sprinkled in, and plans to expand his horticultural expertise through further training.
His strategy of quality over quantity has paid off, with many of his clients opting for premium services like regular product application and more frequent visits.
This approach has allowed Jack to build a thriving business that not only provides a great income but also aligns with his values and lifestyle.
“My regular clients, I think, I only have about 35 to 40 with varying degrees of frequency in different types of jobs. Most of them are mowing. And that’s everything from, you know, the kind of client who just doesn’t have time and is not super fussy, and they just want it cut. But you know, then I also have a client who pays for, call it, a complete package with product application and more frequent visits.“
How Jack’s Sales Background Helped Him Grow His Franchise Quickly
Jack uses his sales background to build trust, overcome objections, and close deals.
Personalized service and smart communication set him apart.
Jack’s sales expertise has allowed him to excel at building quick rapport with clients, planting the seeds for additional services, and overcoming price objections through value-selling.
“Instead of asking someone when you first see them, ‘Oh, how you doing today, mate?’ like I guess in a shop setting, a lot of people can resonate with that, it’s about building rapport based off something they’re wearing, catching them off guard with, you know, some iron and grabbing people’s attention,” he explains.
Jack focuses on creating a non-transactional, personalized opening to his interactions, often by making an observation about the client’s surroundings or personal items.
When it comes to price objections, he emphasizes the value of his services rather than just the cost, highlighting how his offerings can solve specific problems for the client.
His sales background has also helped him navigate challenges like cash flow and late payments, allowing him to implement effective payment terms and debt collection strategies.
By leveraging his sales expertise, Jack has been able to rapidly grow his Jim’s Mowing franchise, securing high-quality clients and consistently delivering exceptional service.
What Are the Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Running a Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Jack found better physical fitness and mental clarity by working outdoors.
The peace, quiet, and visible results gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
To combat the physical strain, Jack has implemented various systems and equipment to optimize his workflow and protect his body.
“Even something as simple as getting a whipper gripper for your whipper snipper, or a Darwin’s grip, people like to call it, like my back is like thanked me tenfold for that, because I could stand up and use a whipper snipper instead of halfway crouching to the ground trying to use it.“
Beyond the physical benefits, Jack has also found that the mental shift from his corporate job has been incredibly rewarding.
“The peace and quiet have been awesome,” he says.
“Aside from the sound of the lawn mower and the whipper snipper, you know, it’s definitely good. I think all in all, you know, I’ll usually I’m either listening to a podcast, listening to music, or I’m just for like 8 hours a day, I’m just in my head, thinking about, it’s usually something to do with the business, you know, like whatever challenge it might be or thing I want to improve. It gives me a lot of time to actually think about, you know, solving a problem or how do I do something better without heaps of distractions.“
The immediate satisfaction of seeing the results of his work has also been a significant source of joy for Jack.
“There’s nothing like doing a lawn, and I mean, I don’t mean to, I guess, blow my own trumpet, but I just turn around, like, ‘Gee, I did a good job,’ you know, and you know, then you feel satisfaction from that, and you know, away you go. So you know, whether it’s doing a hedge, mowing grass, weeding a garden, you know, it’s got a very immediate result, which is awesome.”
How Jack Attracted High-Quality Leads and Built His Client Base
From leaflet drops to BNI networking, Jack didn’t leave growth to chance.
BNI became his top-performing lead source, helping him secure consistent work.
However, the single biggest driver of work for Jack has been his decision to join a local BNI (Business Network International) chapter.
“For me, the biggest marketing step I took was joining a local BNI chapter. You know, that’s been amazing. There is a cost to join, but you know, the way I look at it is, I got one client from that directly who pays for it, and more, you know, it’s an immediate ROI,” he says.
Jack has found that BNI not only provides him with a steady stream of high-quality leads but also allows him to access a network of other professionals who can support his business.
The Jim’s Mowing website and other digital marketing efforts have also contributed to his success, but BNI has been the standout performer.
Jack encourages other franchisees to consider BNI, noting that it can be a powerful tool for building relationships and growing a business, even if it requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
By combining his sales expertise, quality-focused approach, and strategic marketing efforts, Jack has been able to build a thriving Jim’s Mowing franchise that not only provides a great income but also aligns with his values and lifestyle.
Can You Really Earn Well and Have More Freedom with Jim’s Mowing?
Jack now earns as much as he did in sales, but works fewer hours.
He enjoys full control of his time, income, and future.
Beyond the financial rewards, Jack has also found immense satisfaction in the freedom and control that comes with running his own business.
“The best thing has been the control in the best way possible. Like, for example, one of the things that was always a struggle in my employment was getting time off when I wanted time off, because when you’re a part of a business that’s hundreds strong, and in a position of, I guess, consequence, so to speak, it was sometimes hard to take time off without jumping through hoops or having a very solid plan around my time off,” he explains.
“However, you know, in the business, being able to just schedule my work or work my business around having time off has been awesome.”
For those considering a similar path, Jack’s advice is clear: “It’s definitely worth it. And that’s just the reality of summer, especially here with all the rain and that. But you know, as I’ve sort of, as my systems in the business have gotten better, as I’ve gotten better and more efficient, it’s definitely become more of a, ‘I’m at the first job at 7:00, and then I’m home by 3 or 4:00 at the latest.’“
Jack’s journey from corporate sales to Jim’s Mowing franchise owner is a testament to the power of following your passions and taking control of your own destiny.
By leveraging his sales expertise, embracing the physical and mental challenges, and building a strategic marketing approach, he has created a thriving business that not only provides financial security but also the freedom and fulfillment he was seeking.
For anyone considering a similar path, Jack’s story is an inspiring reminder that with the right mindset and determination, the dream of being your own boss can become a reality. To learn more about Jim’s Mowing and explore franchise opportunities, visit the Jim’s Mowing website or call 131 546.