From Zero to 78 Clients: How Harry Tripled His Jim’s Mowing Business in Under a Year

The Power of the Jim’s Brand and a Passion for Gardening

When Harry’s long-time business supplying specialized sports clothing was suddenly shut down, he found himself at a crossroads. With his wife urging him to get out of the house, Harry started exploring new opportunities – and that’s when he discovered the Jim’s Mowing franchise.

Despite having no prior experience in the lawn care industry, Harry was drawn to the business model and the support offered by the Jim’s team.

As he explains, “I just saw an opportunity to build a business, and that’s what really sort of like encouraged me to go and do what I’m doing now.”

What sealed the deal for Harry was the chance to combine his love of gardening with a proven business system.

As he puts it, “I like gardening, I’m on one and a half acres here. So I sort of like took to it like a duck does to water, I suppose.”

With his decades of entrepreneurial experience, Harry was able to hit the ground running.

Within less than 12 months, he had grown his client base from 43 to 78 accounts, and more than tripled his turnover.

But Harry’s success isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about the power of the Jim’s brand and his commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Leveraging the Jim’s Brand for Big Jobs and Bigger Profits

In an exclusive interview with Joel Kleber, Harry reveals that the key to his rapid growth has been his ability to secure large-scale landscaping projects through the Jim’s leads system.

As he explains, “Some of those jobs are quite large, so I had to think about how to leverage what it is that we do at Jim’s with other people.”

By partnering with a local landscaping contractor, Harry has been able to secure two massive jobs – one for $20,000 and another for a staggering $88,000.

The secret to his success? Letting the Jim’s brand do the heavy lifting.

As Harry puts it, “90% of the leads that we get, they’re not shopping around. They just want Jim’s, because Jim’s is trustworthy.”

This trust in the brand allows Harry to focus on what he does best – managing the project and delivering exceptional results for his clients.

But Harry’s approach goes beyond simply relying on the Jim’s name.

He’s also adept at leveraging his own expertise and relationships to create a winning formula.

As he explains, “The first one for $20,000 started off with just a request for instant turf. I got Adam the landscaper involved in it, and he did all this artwork, and the guy ended up loving the artwork so much he signed up for $20,000.”

By bringing in the right partners and collaborating on the design process, Harry has been able to turn simple requests into major revenue-generating projects.

The best part? He’s able to focus on the areas he enjoys most, like laying the grass and maintaining the gardens.

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service: The Key to Lasting Success

While Harry’s ability to land big jobs has been a significant factor in his success, he attributes much of his growth to his unwavering commitment to customer service.

As he explains, “90% of them just want it done. They just want Jim’s, because of the brand, and they just want it done.”

This focus on delivering a seamless, hassle-free experience for his clients has earned Harry a perfect 5-star rating on the Jim’s system.

But it’s not just about the numbers – it’s about the personal connections he’s built with his customers.

As Harry shares, “I always go and knock on their door after a job is complete. I look, I’ve got one lady, she’s a recently retired police senior superintendent, and you can tell you will do this and you will do that type of thing. Big front yard, big backyard. And whilst I’m working out the front and I go out the back, and then I knock on the door when I finish, and I said, ‘Look, do you want to walk around with me and see that I’ve done it?‘”

This simple gesture of going the extra mile and involving the customer in the process has helped Harry build strong, lasting relationships with his clients.

It’s not just about the work itself – it’s about understanding their needs and finding ways to add value beyond the initial service.

As Harry explains, “I just said to her, ‘Look, 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.”

By taking the time to listen to his clients and offer tailored solutions, Harry has been able to not only retain his customers but also upsell them on additional services.

It’s a strategy that has paid off handsomely, with Harry’s business tripling in size in less than a year.

The Power of Teamwork and Mentorship with Jim’s Mowing

While Harry’s individual efforts have been a driving force behind his success, he’s quick to credit the support and camaraderie of the Jim’s network as a key factor in his growth.

As he explains, “The training side of it, the infrastructure that’s available to each and every one of us – nobody from your franchisor to even Jim himself, and that everybody wants to know you and be involved with you. And then 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 or whatever, everybody sort of like is pretty keen to help each other.”

This collaborative spirit has allowed Harry to tackle larger projects by teaming up with other Jim’s franchisees, like his friend Ed.

As Harry shares, “When he’s got a big job, he rings me or I get a big job, I ring him. And we’ve done some incredible jobs together.”

But it’s not just the other franchisees that have provided support – Harry has also benefited from the guidance of his mentor, Jason.

As he explains, “There was a bit of dialogue going backwards and forwards with how one should handle it, and if I needed equipment or other people, and that my mentor Jason, he was there to help.”

This mentorship has been invaluable, especially for someone like Harry who is new to the lawn care industry.

By tapping into the expertise and resources of the Jim’s network, he’s been able to navigate the learning curve and scale his business at a remarkable pace.

Embracing the Latest Technology and Equipment with Jim’s Mowing

Another key factor in Harry’s success has been his willingness to embrace the latest technology and equipment.

Rather than relying on traditional gas-powered tools, Harry has opted for a fully electric setup, including a fleet of Greenworks power tools.

As he 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. You’re not getting the fuel costs, servicing. And just talking to the guys that are still running petrol, you’ve got about a $6,000 saving in having electric.”

But it’s not just the cost savings that have won Harry over – he’s also impressed by the performance and convenience of the electric equipment.

As he shares, “The mower is a self-drive mower, you know, so the uphill pushing and that, you just let it push itself up the hill. And you just turn it on and away you go.”

By investing in the latest technology, Harry has been able to streamline his operations, reduce his environmental impact, and provide a more efficient service to his clients.

It’s a strategy that has paid off in spades, with Harry’s business running like a well-oiled machine.

Embracing the Jim’s Mowing Lifestyle

For Harry, the decision to join the Jim’s Mowing franchise has been about more than just building a successful business – it’s about embracing a new way of life.

As he puts it, “If you enjoy your job, you’ll never work a day in your life. And I’d never heard that before, but you know what, it is so true. I totally enjoy what I’m doing.”

This passion for his work has translated into a level of customer service that goes above and beyond the typical lawn care provider.

As Harry shares, “I had this lady, another Jim’s lead. She lost her husband three years ago, she lives for gardening, pretty big backyard, roses. And she rang, she’d done her knee and her hip, she’s 80-odd years old. And I turned up, and she was nearly in tears because her gardening is now a life.”

Rather than simply completing the job and moving on, Harry took the time to understand the client’s situation and tailor his service accordingly.

He explains, “I said, ‘Look, I’ll spend all day here, $500,’ which she agreed to. By the time I’d finished the front and back, hedging, pruning, mowing, weeding, everything, it was just looking fantastic.”

But Harry’s commitment to his clients didn’t stop there.

He went on to offer the lady a discounted rate to maintain her garden every three weeks, ensuring that she could continue to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

When she later had to let him go due to financial constraints, Harry didn’t hesitate to offer an even lower rate to keep her garden looking its best.

It’s this level of empathy and dedication that sets Harry apart from the competition.

By truly embracing the Jim’s Mowing lifestyle and putting his clients’ needs first, he’s been able to build a thriving business that’s about more than just the bottom line.

The Jim’s Mowing Advantage

Harry’s story is a testament to the power of the Jim’s Mowing brand and the support network that comes with it.

By leveraging the trust and reputation of the Jim’s name, he’s been able to land massive landscaping projects and scale his business at a remarkable pace.

But Harry’s success isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about his unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

By taking the time to understand his clients’ needs, offering tailored solutions, and going the extra mile, he’s been able to build a loyal customer base and a thriving business.

For anyone considering a career in the lawn care industry, Harry’s story is a powerful reminder of the opportunities that await within the Jim’s Mowing franchise.

With the support of a proven brand, a collaborative network of franchisees, and a passion for the work, the sky’s the limit for those willing to put in the effort.

To learn more about the Jim’s Mowing franchise and how you can get started, be sure to check out the resources below: