Cole Miller, owner of Jim’s Mowing Huntly in New Zealand, recently shared valuable insights about building a franchise from scratch, customer service, and making the leap from employee to business owner.
At just 22 years old, Cole has already grown his business to more than 100 clients in his first year, a story every franchise owner can learn from.
Cole’s journey started in a very different place.
“I was managing a mill just in Turco, working in the feed mill for about three years. It was a whole lot of hard work and not really getting where I wanted to be,” he explained.
The appeal of independence drew him to Jim’s.
“Being on your own time and fully in your own schedule, that was always a dream.”
From Facebook to Franchisee
Like many modern entrepreneurs, Cole first encountered Jim’s Mowing online.
“I was just scrolling on Facebook and I’d always been into gardening work. Once I saw Jim’s Mowing, I’d seen your videos and interviews, and it just sounded too good to be true,” he told interviewer Joel Kleber.
To be sure, Cole went on an observation day with a seasoned franchisee.
“Once I met Lance in Hamilton and saw what he was up to for the day, I just knew it was the right thing for me.”
Training and Mentorship
Cole credits his smooth transition to strong training and ongoing support.
“Training in Auckland was definitely an eye-opener. It brought the business mindset to me,” he said.
Learning to quote jobs was one of the biggest challenges.
“In the beginning, I’d text my franchisor Ricky with photos. He’d give me a detailed list of what to include. Being detailed is a good way to secure a job.”
That guidance proved crucial in helping Cole price accurately and build trust with clients.
“Pretty much copying what Ricky does has been a big help,” he admitted.
Building Fast with Passion and Service
Starting with a blank territory, Cole hustled hard. In his first week, he drove around Huntly, dropping business cards and introducing himself.
“I wasn’t too familiar with the area, but it’s quite a nice, rural place. I love working out there.”
The combination of Jim’s lead system and word of mouth referrals quickly accelerated his growth.
“Once you get to a point, you’ve got enough work to keep working through. It’s just the endless loop of that,” Cole said.
So how did he scale to 109 clients in a year?
“I wasn’t super chasing money. I was going in with a lot of passion. I put a lot of passion into the work I do, making sure it’s really high quality. Getting a good conversation going with customers also goes a long way.”
Cole makes a point of connecting with clients on a personal level, whether it is complimenting their car or asking about the history of their garden.
“It makes a big difference. You’re not just in and out for the money, you’re making a relationship.”
The Value of the Jim’s Brand
Cole is clear about the power of the Jim’s Group’s reputation, which now includes more than 5,500 franchisees across Australia and New Zealand.
“The brand is unbeatable. When you meet a client, they’ve already got the brand to quite a high standard. You need to meet that high standard, too, and hold up Jim’s reputation.”
Advice for Future Franchisees
Reflecting on his first year, Cole says the business has exceeded expectations.
“It’s probably more than what I expected. Better than what I expected, to be honest.”
His advice for others considering franchising? Start young.
“Do it while you’re young because you can make mistakes and you’ve got time to learn through them and grow from them.”
Takeaway for Franchise Owners
Cole’s story highlights three practical lessons for franchisees:
- Lead with passion and pride in your work
- Build strong customer relationships through genuine conversation
- Lean on the Jim’s training, support, and brand strength to accelerate growth
As Cole put it, “I like to get in and do it. Eyes on the prize.”
For anyone considering a franchise, his experience shows that with the right mindset and support, success can come quickly.
To learn more about how you can start your own journey with Jim’s, visit jims.net.