Finding Freedom, Family Time, and Fresh Air
For over two decades, Nathan Willason was entrenched in the corporate world, working his way up the ladder in the telecommunications industry.
But despite the stability and paycheck, something was missing.
The long commutes, endless meetings, and lack of work-life balance had taken their toll.
Nathan knew he needed a change – a chance to reclaim his time, reconnect with his family, and find fulfillment in his work.
That’s when Nathan stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity that would transform his life: joining the Jim’s Mowing franchise.
In this inspiring interview with Joel Kleber, Nathan shares the real challenges and wins of starting his own business, how he scaled to 70+ regular clients, and the systems he uses to stay sane and profitable.
From family routines to rock gigs, this is what the Jim’s life can really look like.
Why Nathan Left a 20-Year Corporate Career to Start a Jim’s Mowing Business
After decades in telecommunications, Nathan chose freedom, flexibility, and family.
A long commute and busy schedule pushed him toward change.
The final straw came when Nathan was about to interview for a new corporate role that would have him commuting two hours each way, leaving home in the dark and returning in the dark.
With three young daughters under 16, Nathan knew this just wasn’t the lifestyle he wanted.
“I just sat down and thought to myself, ‘Do I really want to be doing this? Is this what I want to do?‘” he recalls.
“I just decided, ‘No, that’s not what I want to do.‘”
How a Passion for Lawn Care Turned Into a Thriving Franchise
Nathan turned his love for lawn care into a business.
Encouraged by friends and a lush backyard, he called Jim’s—and never looked back.
That’s when the lightbulb moment struck.
“I thought, you know what, I really enjoy doing that. Why don’t I make that my job?” Nathan immediately thought of the Jim’s Mowing franchise, and within 15 minutes of reaching out, he had Shane on the phone, ready to get him started.
Can You Start a Jim’s Mowing Franchise During Tough Times?
Online training didn’t stop Nathan from diving in.
Support from the Jim’s team helped him launch with confidence.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Nathan’s training ended up being entirely online.
“It was still great,” he says.
“It was just that you just missed out on that, I guess, face-to-face interaction with people and talking.“
To make up for the lack of in-person training, Nathan made sure to stay in close contact with the Jim’s team, constantly reaching out to Shane and connecting with other local franchisees.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Nathan felt confident in his decision.
“It really just came down to, ‘Do I feel comfortable?’ Of course, I didn’t feel comfortable in terms of it was going to be a massive jump in what I was doing. It really came down to, ‘Yeah, the people, the support around me. Do I feel as though that the support will be there and the help will be there?’ I just jumped in. I really didn’t give it much second thought.“
How Nathan Grew to 70+ Clients in Just Months
Strong communication and attention to detail fuel Nathan’s success.
With 5-star reviews and loyal clients, he’s built a business that thrives.
“After about 3 or 4 weeks, I was just well, okay, now we’re starting to get into a bit of a flow,” he says.
“After 6 months, it was just game on.“
Nathan’s secret to success?
Unwavering communication and going the extra mile for his clients.
“Communication is 100% the key,” he explains.
Every night before a job, Nathan sends a text to each client with the scheduled time and follows up after the job is complete.
He also makes a point to do little extras, like blowing off the driveway, that leave a lasting impression.
This commitment to communication and service has earned Nathan a perfect 5-star rating from 126 delighted customers.
“When they get home and they see the end product, and like I said, you nice straight lines with the mowing, beautiful edging done nicely, they look at it and they go, ‘Wow, that’s great,‘” he says.
Can Jim’s Mowing Really Give You Work-Life Balance?
With a four-day workweek and time for his kids, Nathan finally found freedom.
He’s present, fulfilled, and doing work he enjoys.
Nathan has structured his business to work just four days a week, allowing him to have a day free for family commitments and one-off jobs.
“It just gives me that bit of flexibility,” he explains.
“If it does rain on a Monday, I can just pick up that whole Monday and just move it to the next day that I’ve got free that week. So I don’t sit there and go, ‘Oh my god, I’m gonna have to work the weekend now.‘”
This work-life balance has been a game-changer for Nathan and his family.
“I’m waking up, I’m happy to go to work. Thoroughly enjoy getting outside, talking to people,” he says.
“Really just, I guess, you know, I think this is when, when I first started, one of the first things I said to people was, ‘I feel like I’m actually just helping people out.‘”
What Tech Tools Help Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Run Smoothly
From GPS trackers to automated texts, Nathan uses smart tools to stay efficient.
It’s how he delivers great service—without burning out.
- Equipment Tracking: Nathan has tracking devices installed on all his equipment, including lawnmowers and trimmers, to monitor their location and usage.
- Automated Messaging: Nathan has set up SMS shortcuts to quickly send pre-written messages to clients, such as appointment reminders and job completion updates.
- Integrated Software: Nathan uses the Jim’s Jobs software for invoicing and job management, and integrates it with Xero for accounting.
These technological tools have been invaluable in helping Nathan streamline his operations, improve customer service, and gain valuable insights into his business.
“I love technology, you know, so I thought, ‘How can I use it?‘” he says.
What Equipment and Supplier Support Does a Mowing Business Need?
Nathan trusts STIHL, Honda, and Ego to keep his tools sharp.
Local dealer relationships make quick repairs and advice hassle-free.
Nathan’s equipment setup includes a mix of petrol-powered STIHL and Honda tools, as well as some Ego battery-powered trimmers and hedgers.
“I haven’t gone the full move into electric and not saying that I won’t,” he says.
“I just need to see, you know, some real-world application and how and how they go.“
Maintaining close ties with his equipment suppliers has been crucial.
“The guys that I take it to in Mount Barker, they’ll take it in and they’ll look at it in 10 minutes and they’ll bring it back out, ‘All done, all fixed,‘” Nathan says.
“That’s just gold. That’s what you need.“
Nathan’s Advice for New Jim’s Mowing Franchisees
Talk to franchisees, try a few days in the field, and prepare for the lead surge.
If you love the outdoors and helping people, Jim’s is worth it.
Nathan emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the initial influx of leads and work.
“After the first week, I was drowning in leads,” he says.
“And I can honestly say I was getting seven to 12 leads every single day.“
While it can be overwhelming at first, Nathan assures that with the right systems and support, you’ll quickly find your groove.
Most importantly, Nathan encourages aspiring franchisees to lean into their passions.
“If you enjoy being outside, you enjoy talking to people, and you can do that well, everything else will just fall into place,” he says. To learn more about the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, visit the Jim’s Mowing website or call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand.