Andrew Herd, a former corporate sales and marketing professional, recently shared valuable insights about leaving a 20-year desk career to build a hands-on business with Jim’s Mowing.
His journey shows the power of brand, support, and mindset in creating a successful franchise.
Andrew spent two decades working for global alcohol companies, including nearly 10 years in Singapore, before deciding it was time for a change.
“I just sort of sat there going, am I going to do this for the next 25 or 30 years of my working life?” he recalled.
With encouragement from his wife, he started exploring franchise opportunities. Quick-service restaurants looked risky and expensive.
“The barriers to entry were very, very high, like millions of dollars,” he said.
By contrast, Jim’s Mowing offered lower investment, greater flexibility, and the chance to spend more time with family.
The Power of the Jim’s Brand
For Andrew, one of the turning points was experiencing the strength of Jim’s reputation firsthand.
“Even within the local community at the kids’ school, people walk up to me when I’m in uniform. Jim’s is an iconic Aussie brand,” he explained.
Customers often assume he works directly for Jim’s Group, but once they realize he owns the business, “they know they can speak to me directly about timing, price, or the service. That makes people more comfortable.”
This instant credibility is something independent operators struggle to match.
“There are very good trade businesses out there, but it takes years to build a strong brand. With Jim’s, that trust is already there,” Andrew said.
Learning Curve and Support
Switching from boardrooms to backyards came with challenges.
“I’ve had some steep learning curves coming out of a corporate job,” he admitted.
But the support of his franchisor and fellow franchisees has made the transition smoother.
“If I’ve got an issue with a weed type or a hedging job, the answer is a phone call away.”
He’s also learned not to rush.
“Graeme, my franchisor, was constantly saying, don’t rush it, just do a good job and you’ll get faster. And he’s right. Every job teaches you something.”
Networking and Growth
Andrew credits networking as a big driver of early success.
“Even close mates from school have backed my decision. Real estate agents I’ve known have pushed work my way. People are happy to give you a crack if you’re willing to put yourself out there,” he said.
He also values the cross-divisional referrals within Jim’s Group, where franchisees share leads across services.
One of his personal tactics is leaving clients with a memorable impression.
“Every time I walk into a garden, I tell the client one thing about their property or the local area. It might be as simple as pointing out new green shoots on a hedge. That way, every time they look at it, they think of me.”
Lifestyle and Identity Shift
Adjusting to life outside corporate culture has been refreshing.
“Now, when people ask what I do, I confidently say I own my own business. It’s rewarding to speak about something you’re building yourself,” Andrew said.
Gone are the Sunday night blues of preparing for another week of meetings.
“On Sunday now, I just look at my diary and go, that’s the work I’ve got on Monday. Great, I’ll get stuck into it.”
Lessons for Franchise Owners
Andrew’s story offers practical lessons for Jim’s franchisees:
- Lean on the support network and ask questions early.
- Take your time with jobs and learn from every experience.
- Use the Jim’s brand to build trust and open doors.
- Network widely and leave a lasting impression with clients.
With more than 5,500 franchisees, Jim’s Group is Australia’s largest franchise network, and Andrew’s journey shows how its systems and brand can help franchisees succeed.
For those considering franchising, Andrew’s advice is simple: back yourself and make the change.
“You only regret the risks you don’t take,” he said.