Harry Parker joined a Jim’s Mowing franchise after his long-term business collapsed during COVID.
In under 12 months, he grew from 43 accounts to 78 and more than tripled turnover.
He credits Jim’s brand trust, confident pricing, and strong franchisee support.
Introduction
In this Jim’s Podcast episode, Joel Kleber speaks with Harry Parker from Jim’s Mowing.
Harry had run a manufacturing business for over 40 years.
He explains how Jim’s leads, systems, and relationships helped him scale fast.
What Made Harry Choose A Jim’s Mowing Franchise After Losing His Business?
Harry says COVID shutdowns wiped out his previous business and forced a major reset.
He wanted a fresh start that still let him build a real business asset.
He tested the work alongside another franchisee and enjoyed it immediately.
He says it felt like a simple match between opportunity and enjoyment.
“The business opportunity… and actually enjoying it… was simple.”
How Did The Jim’s Brand Help Harry Hold His Price?
Harry says the brand creates trust before the first visit.
He believes that trust supports fair pricing without heavy selling.
He’s clear that he is not “overpricing.”
He is pricing his time and the service standard confidently.
Key points he shared about pricing confidence:
- Price based on what your time is worth
- Be prepared to walk away if it’s not a fit
- Most customers want reliability, not the cheapest option
Harry says 90% of customers who call “just want it done.”
“They’ve rung Jim because of the brand, and they just want it done.”
How Did Harry Grow From 43 Accounts To 78 Accounts In Under 12 Months?
Harry bought a split with 43 accounts and built up to 78 accounts.
He says he also more than tripled turnover in the same period.
He ties growth to three things: leads, service, and reputation.
He also notes that “being prepared to walk away” reduced low-quality work.
Key growth drivers he described:
- Taking Jim’s leads seriously and responding professionally
- Building relationships, not just doing the job
- Leaving every property better than promised
What Range Of Jobs Can A Jim’s Mowing Franchisee Take On?
Harry says the day-to-day includes mowing, edging, hedging, and green waste.
But he also highlights how big jobs can come through once you tick landscaping.
He describes two major projects that came through Jim’s leads.
One was around $20,000, and another was around $88,000.
Examples of higher-value work he mentioned:
- Landscaping projects coordinated under the Jim’s lead
- Turf projects and full garden builds using other trades
- Larger quotes supported by experienced partners
“Just how powerful are Jim’s leads that you can end up doing business like that?”
How Did Harry Handle Quoting On Large Landscaping Projects?
Harry partnered with an experienced landscaper for design and quoting.
They interviewed the customer, clarified outcomes, and then built the scope.
Harry then chose the portion he wanted to deliver.
That let him stay focused while still winning larger work.
Key lessons from his quoting approach:
- Use specialists for design and complex estimating
- Clarify the customer’s vision before pricing
- Choose your scope and bring in support as needed
- Don’t guess on complex work when a partner can price accurately
One lead began as “instant turf” and expanded into a $20,000 project.
What Customer Service Habits Helped Harry Earn Strong Ratings?
Harry says the “secret” is listening.
He tries to learn what matters to the customer, not tell them what they want.
He also does a simple close-out habit after every job.
He knocks on the door, shows the work, and invites feedback.
Customer service habits Harry recommends:
- Listen first and let the customer talk
- Ask about their real needs, not just the task list
- Knock after the job to confirm they’re happy
- Offer a soft upsell only when it genuinely helps
“When I finish the job, I always go and knock on their door.”
How Does Harry Turn “Expensive” Objections Into Trust?
Harry gives a real example of a customer calling Jim’s “expensive.”
He didn’t argue or discount.
He calmly stated his price and walked away.
The customer stopped him and asked him to do the job.
He then overdelivered and reinforced the value standard.
What Harry says works in pricing conversations:
- Don’t defend the price emotionally
- State the price clearly and respectfully
- Let the customer choose
- Overdeliver on quality once you’re hired
“You get what you pay for and more.”
Why Did Harry Switch To Mostly Electric Mowing Equipment?
Harry says he uses electric equipment for most tools, except the ride-on.
He believes it reduces servicing and fuel costs compared to petrol.
He estimates a meaningful savings from going electric.
He also says battery planning matters more than brand debates.
Harry estimates about a $6,000 saving using electric over petrol.
He says he runs eight batteries and has only needed to plug in once.
“You don’t have to do the servicing as you do with petrol.”
HowTo: How Harry Runs Bigger Jobs Without Burning Out
Step 1: Bring Help Onto Large Jobs
- Harry says two people can finish faster than one.
- That frees time for quoting and more work.
Step 2: Use Your “Off Day” For Quoting
- He uses the time saved to quote properly, not rush between jobs.
Step 3: Team Up With Nearby Franchisees
- Harry and another franchisee call each other for big work.
- It creates a simple win-win workflow.
Step 4: Learn Route Planning With Jim’s Jobs
- He groups work by area to reduce travel time.
- He says the system improves once you learn the logic.
Step 5: Protect The Standard Every Visit
- He treats each property like it’s his own.
- He won’t leave until it looks right.
What Support Systems Inside Jim’s Helped Harry Scale Faster?
Harry highlights mentorship, franchisor access, and franchisee teamwork.
He says people encourage you to ask questions and get help early.
He also describes the culture as a two-way street.
You ask when needed, and you give help when others need it.
Support he called out:
- Early mentoring and guidance on bigger jobs
- Franchisee collaboration for labour and equipment
- A franchisor who checks in heavily in the first months
- Practical systems that make diary planning easier over time
FAQ
How Fast Can A Jim’s Mowing Franchise Grow In The First Year?
Harry grew from 43 to 78 accounts in under 12 months and more than tripled turnover.
Do Customers Usually Price-Shop Jim’s Mowing?
Harry says most customers call Jim’s for the brand and want it done properly.
Can Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Do Large Landscaping Projects?
Yes. Harry described $20,000 and $88,000 landscaping jobs that came through Jim’s leads.
Is Electric Equipment Practical For A Mowing Business?
Harry says yes, with enough batteries and planning, and estimates around $6,000 savings.
What’s One Customer Service Habit That Builds Trust Fast?
Harry recommends knocking after the job and walking the customer through the result.
Key Takeaways
- The Jim’s Mowing franchise brand can support confident, fair pricing.
- Growth can be fast when you combine leads with strong service habits.
- Big landscaping revenue is possible through smart partnerships and a clear scope.
- Electric tools can reduce servicing and fuel costs when batteries are managed well.
- Simple relationship-building creates referrals and long-term customer trust.
Want to hear Harry’s full story?
Watch the full podcast episode to hear how Harry Parker grew from 43 to 78 accounts and tripled turnover with Jim’s support.
Interested in starting your own lawn mowing business? Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.