Scott Brown, a skilled carpenter, transformed his life through determination and resilience. After the tragic loss of his wife, Scott needed flexibility to care for his young daughters. He found the perfect solution with Jim’s Fencing, leveraging his carpentry skills to build a thriving business.
Early Life and Family Background
Childhood and Family Dynamics
Scott’s early years were shaped by significant family changes.
His parents separated when he was three, and his father moved overseas for a year.
Scott and his two older brothers were raised by their father upon his return.
“We played a lot of sports—basketball, and football and we spent a lot of time outdoors riding bikes around the suburb with our friends,” Scott recalls, highlighting the positive aspects of his upbringing despite his parents’ separation.
Influence of His Father and Stepmother
Scott’s father, a train driver and instructor, instilled in him the values of integrity and hard work.
His stepmother, who worked for the Council, was a supportive presence in Scott’s life.
“My step-mum was with us all the time—she was great,” Scott says, emphasizing her role in his upbringing.
His father taught him to look people in the eyes when speaking, and his grandmother’s advice to “do unto others as you’d like done to you” became a guiding principle in Scott’s life.
Education and Early Interests
Scott attended St. Peters, a Catholic primary school, where he made lifelong friends.
In high school, Scott was an average student, more interested in sports and social activities than academics.
His passion for basketball and other sports often took precedence over his studies.
Culinary Career and Transition to Carpentry
Early Work in Kitchens
Scott began working in kitchens at fourteen and started a chef apprenticeship at sixteen.
Despite his father’s preference for a university education, Scott pursued his passion for cooking.
“I’d been washing dishes in the kitchen at Mama Bella, which belonged to my stepmother’s family, since fourteen,” he explains.
Running a Restaurant
Scott completed his apprenticeship at an Italian restaurant in South Melbourne and later co-owned a bar and café in Carlton.
“It was exciting to be young and have a business in Carlton. We had fun and made a lot of friends,” he reflects.
After running the business for four years, Scott moved on to manage the kitchen at University Café and later took over the kitchen at his uncle’s hotel, The Exchange Hotel, in Footscray.
Meeting His Wife and Family Life
Scott met his wife in 2006 while working at University Café.
“We had our first daughter in 2007, got married in 2009, and had our second daughter in 2011,” he recounts.
His wife’s tragic passing due to breast cancer left Scott as a single father, which necessitated a significant career change.
Starting a Carpentry Career and Joining Jim’s Fencing
Shift to Carpentry
After sixteen years as a chef, Scott transitioned to a carpentry apprenticeship, working on semi-commercial jobs.
“I did demolition, foundations, and worked with plumbers and electricians,” he says, detailing his broad experience in the field.
Finding Jim’s Fencing
Scott needed a flexible job to care for his daughters.
“I knew Jim’s was a good brand, probably the best brand out there. And the franchise in fencing suited my background of carpentry,” he explains.
Despite initial uncertainties, Scott’s business quickly gained traction, and he no longer needed leads from Jim’s Group after the first six months.
Building a Successful Fencing Business
Overcoming Initial Challenges
Scott faced a steep learning curve and initial challenges when starting his fencing business.
However, his dedication and positive attitude helped him build a solid client base.
“Within a few weeks, I had plenty of work from leads from the Jim’s Group and from Colourbond,” he recalls.
Leveraging Carpentry Skills
Scott’s carpentry skills allowed him to offer a wide range of services beyond fencing, including maintenance and construction work.
His versatility ensured he always had work, even during rainy days.
“I have work to do indoors when it rains, so there’s no real downtime,” he notes.
Family and Support System
Raising his two daughters as a single father, Scott relies on the support of his parents and stepmother.
“Luckily, I was a chef, so when it comes to food, I can cook up anything in no time, which helps,” he says.
His daughters, aged thirteen and ten, also contribute to household chores, making family life manageable.
Business Philosophy and Customer Relations
Positive Customer Interactions
A key aspect of Scott’s success is his positive approach to customer interactions.
“As soon as I walk in, I’m positive. I might jot down the complexities, but I’ll talk about how nice their yard looks while I take measurements,” he advises.
Maintaining a positive demeanor helps build trust and ensures repeat business.
Building Relationships
Scott emphasizes the importance of building relationships with other tradespeople and suppliers.
“It’s really important to talk to everyone on a site because once you make friends with builders and some other trades, and they see your good work, they’ll take you everywhere no matter what you charge,” he says.
Scott’s network of contacts has been instrumental in his business growth.
Handling Difficult Jobs
Scott approaches difficult jobs with a positive attitude, focusing on solutions rather than problems.
“Sometimes you can see a lot of issues when you arrive. But the customer has a job that needs to be done, and they just want to know you can do it,” he explains.
By staying positive and professional, Scott ensures customer satisfaction even in challenging situations.
Advice for New Franchisees
Planning and Hands-On Approach
As a Division Manager for Jim’s Fencing in several regions, Scott provides valuable advice to new franchisees.
“The ones who struggle are the ones who think they can run a business without being hands-on,” he notes.
He stresses the importance of doing a good job and being nice to people.
Continuous Learning
Scott believes in the importance of continuous learning.
“You’ve got to bury yourself in work. Read product installation manuals, talk to suppliers about the products, learn, learn, learn,” he advises.
His dedication to learning has helped him stay ahead in the industry.
Picking the Right Clients
Sometimes, it’s necessary to choose clients carefully.
“If you walk in positive and a client is really negative with you from the get-go, it’s probably a good idea to put your price up and try not to get the job,” Scott suggests.
Scott’s strategy helps avoid problematic clients and ensures a better working experience.
Running a Fencing Business
Financial Management and Efficiency
Scott has streamlined the financial aspects of his business.
“The way it works in fencing is I pretty much charge double the materials for a job. So of the total cost, 50% will be materials and 50% labor,” he explains.
He aims to make $600 to $700 a day in profit, balancing days on the tools with quoting and administrative work.
Efficient Communication
Scott uses technology to manage business communications efficiently.
“Emails can be done on the run, voice to text on an iPad with a SIM card. I do most of my business communications on my phone through voice-to-text,” he says.
His approach saves time and keeps the business running smoothly.
Importance of Deposits
Scott stresses the importance of getting a deposit for each job to avoid non-payment issues.
“I always tell the guys to get a deposit,” he emphasizes, sharing an example of a franchisee who was left unpaid after completing a job without securing a deposit.
Life Today and Future Aspirations
Work-Life Balance
Despite the demands of his business, Scott has managed to maintain a good work-life balance.
“I have a better life than I could working for any boss. I can work around the other commitments I have,” he says.
His business success allows him to provide a comfortable life for his daughters and enjoy family vacations.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Scott aims to continue growing his business while maintaining the flexibility that allows him to be there for his daughters.
He is proud of the life he has built and looks forward to future successes.
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