When Harry’s previous business of 40 years was suddenly shut down, he found himself at a crossroads.
With his wife urging him to get out of the house, Harry stumbled upon an opportunity that would change the trajectory of his career – the Jim’s Mowing franchise.
In this in-depth interview with Joel Kleber, we’ll dive into Harry’s remarkable journey, exploring how he leveraged the Jim’s Mowing brand and infrastructure to build a thriving business that has tripled its turnover in less than a year.
From landing lucrative landscaping jobs to utilizing cutting-edge electric equipment, Harry’s story is a testament to the power of the Jim’s Mowing franchise model.
Why Harry Joined Jim’s Mowing After Losing His Business of 40 Years
After his previous business closed, Harry turned his passion for gardening into a new career.
A quick chat with a franchisor changed everything.
It was during this time that Harry stumbled upon the Jim’s Mowing franchise.
As he explains, “I’d been thinking about the Jim’s franchise for a little while, and I spoke to Matt Watts. We ended up spending some time, and I just took to it like a duck to water. I really liked it, so I made the decision to go for it over the course of about a week.“
For Harry, the decision to join the Jim’s Mowing franchise was a natural fit.
He had always enjoyed gardening and saw the opportunity to build a business that aligned with his interests.
As he puts it, “The business opportunity and the fact that I could mold my own business, which is what mowing is all about, combined with actually enjoying it, made it a simple decision for me.“
How the Jim’s Mowing Support System Helped Harry Succeed Fast
Harry was blown away by the level of help from fellow franchisees and franchisors.
With training, mentoring, and a collaborative network, he never felt alone.
As Harry explains, “The training side of it, the infrastructure that’s available to each and every one of us, everybody from your franchisor to even Jim himself, everyone wants to know you and be involved with you. And when you’re asking for a hand because you’ve got a big job or somebody wants you to be part of their big job, everybody is pretty keen to help each other.“
This collaborative environment was a stark contrast to Harry’s previous experiences, where he had to navigate the business landscape on his own.
The Jim’s Mowing franchise, however, provided him with a supportive network of fellow franchisees and a dedicated mentor, Jason, who helped guide him through the early stages of his new venture.
Harry emphasizes the importance of this support system, saying, “I’m not afraid to ask for help if I need it, and I’m always happy to give help when it’s needed as well. I find that environment really quite invigorating to be honest.“
Can You Land Big Landscaping Jobs With a Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Harry expanded beyond mowing into major landscaping.
By collaborating with other contractors, he secured huge jobs and delivered standout results.
Harry landed a $20,000 landscaping job through a Jim’s Mowing lead, where he collaborated with a larger landscaping company to handle the more specialized tasks like concreting, paving, and retaining walls.
He then secured an even more impressive $88,000 landscaping project, again through a Jim’s Mowing lead, where he focused on the garden and grass components while the larger contractor handled the more extensive work.
Harry’s success in these larger projects can be attributed to his willingness to leverage partnerships and his ability to listen to the customer’s needs.
As he explains, “The contractor says to me, ‘Well, Harry, what do you want to do on this job?’ And I just said, ‘I’m happy just doing the gardens and the grass.‘”
By playing to his strengths and collaborating with experienced contractors, Harry has been able to take on projects that would have been beyond the scope of a typical mowing franchise.
This approach has not only generated significant revenue but has also allowed Harry to showcase the versatility and capabilities of the Jim’s Mowing brand.
How Harry Earns 5-Star Reviews With Personalised Service
Harry goes beyond the basics, always exceeding expectations.
His attention to detail and personal touch have built trust and repeat business.
One of the key aspects of Harry’s customer service approach is his willingness to go the extra mile.
As he shares, “I always go and knock on their door after completing a job. I’ve got one lady, she’s a recently retired police senior superintendent, and I just say, ‘Look, do you want to walk around with me and see that I’ve done it?’ And she said, ‘I’ve already inspected the front, it’s the best I’ve ever seen it.‘”
This personal touch, combined with Harry’s attention to detail and his ability to offer additional services, has earned him a perfect 5-star rating on the Jim’s Mowing system.
As he explains, “I always do more than what I’d say, always. And I won’t leave a place without it looking the way it was meant to look. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist in that way.“
Harry’s commitment to customer service extends beyond just the job itself.
He also takes the time to understand his clients’ needs and preferences, often cross-selling additional services that can enhance the overall experience.
As he shares, “I just said to her, ‘Look, you know, next time I come, would you like me to do a weed spray in and around those rocks?’ And she goes, ‘Oh, oh, could you?’ You know, in a softly sort of way.“
This personalized approach, combined with Harry’s attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile, has been a key driver of his success within the Jim’s Mowing franchise.
Why Harry Switched to Electric Tools—And Saved $8K a Year
Harry swapped petrol for electric gear and saved $8K a year.
His setup helps him finish more jobs, reduce servicing, and quote with ease.
As Harry explains, “I’m all electric except for my ride-on. I’ve got Greenworks, and I don’t have a problem with it. You don’t have to do the servicing as you do with petrol-driven equipment, and you don’t got the fuel costs or servicing. I’ve got about an $8,000 savings in having electric.“
Harry’s decision to go electric has not only reduced his operating costs but has also allowed him to optimize his efficiency on the job.
With the ease of use and lack of maintenance required for his electric equipment, Harry has been able to tackle more jobs in a single day, freeing up time to focus on quoting and growing his business.
As he shares, “We were knocking off 15 jobs in one day. That meant that I could then do the other jobs on my own and give myself a day off. I don’t actually give myself a day off, but that allows me to go out and do quoting.“
By embracing the latest technology and finding ways to streamline his operations, Harry has been able to achieve remarkable growth in his Jim’s Mowing franchise, tripling his turnover in less than a year.
How Harry Grew From 43 to 78 Clients and Tripled His Turnover
In under a year, Harry scaled fast by leaning into the brand’s trust and charging what he’s worth.
The result? A booming, balanced business.
As Harry reflects on his success, he attributes it to the power of the Jim’s Mowing brand and the trust it has built with customers.
“Ninety percent of them just want it done because of the Jim’s brand, and they just want it done,” he says.
“They don’t have to be sold on it; they already know it’s trustworthy.“
This trust in the Jim’s Mowing brand has allowed Harry to command a fair price for his services, without the need to compete on the lowest cost.
As he explains, “I’m not overpricing it. I’m just saying I think the brand and my time are worth x amount, and I’m prepared to walk away if I don’t get it.“
Harry’s story is a testament to the power of the Jim’s Mowing franchise model and the support it provides to its franchisees.
By leveraging the brand’s reputation, infrastructure, and collaborative network, Harry has been able to build a thriving business that has exceeded his own expectations.
If you’re interested in exploring the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, be sure to visit their website at jimsmowing.com.au or call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand.
You can also connect with Jim’s Mowing on their social media channels:
Facebook: facebook.com/JimsMowingAU
Instagram: instagram.com/jimsmowingau/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@jimsmowingaus
Twitter: twitter.com/jimsmowingau
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of a thriving, Australian-owned franchise that is more than just mowing. Join the Jim’s Mowing family and start your journey to building a successful, rewarding business.