When Heidi reached a breaking point in her previous job, she knew she needed a change. Exhausted from the long hours and lack of flexibility, she decided to take a leap of faith and start her own business.
Little did she know, her journey to entrepreneurship would lead her to a thriving laundry franchise with Jim’s Group — and she’d be exceeding her earnings goals in just two weeks.
In this story, Heidi is interviewed by Joel Kleber, and she shares how she went from employment burnout to business ownership and the key factors that made it possible.
From the comprehensive training program to the unwavering support system, Heidi breaks down the reality of launching a successful laundry franchise with Jim’s Group.
Whether you’re looking to escape the 9-to-5 grind, seeking more flexibility and freedom, or simply wondering how to start a laundry business, Heidi’s experience is a must-read.
Leaving the Rat Race Behind for Health and Flexibility
For Heidi, the decision to start her own business wasn’t just about chasing a dream — it was a matter of personal health and well-being.
“Health comes first and time freedom,” she explains.
“Normally if you are an employee working for somebody else, it’s generally all day. Sometimes you have to work Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays. But with Jim’s Laundry, I can pick my hours which I’ve spent Monday to Thursday. So I can have Friday off to do what I need to do.”
The lack of work-life balance in her previous roles had taken a toll, both physically and mentally.
“I was working but I was very tired as an employee. I physically couldn’t do it anymore,” Heidi recalls.
“I gave my two weeks notice. I quit my job without any job lined up, with no plan, nothing.”
It was a bold move, but one that Heidi felt compelled to make.
“Life is short,” she says.
“I went through breast cancer a long time ago. Just how I see it, life is short. You really have to enjoy life to the full. Every opportunity comes, take it.”
Discovering the Jim’s Laundry Opportunity
With no job lined up, Heidi knew she needed to find a new path forward.
That’s when she stumbled upon an open house for Jim’s Laundry Services, one of the many divisions within the Jim’s Group franchise network.
“Next thing, 5 minutes later the phone rings. Bill rings me back. He says, ‘You know, there’s an open day this Saturday. I’m coming on the other side of Sydney.’”
Heidi didn’t hesitate. “I went past two tolls. Took me 1 hour to get there. Then I arrive 45 minutes early, and in the first 10 minutes, I’m like, ‘This is it. This business is for me. I’m doing it. Where do I sign?’“
The flexibility, support, and structure of the Jim’s Laundry franchise model resonated with Heidi, who had previously worked as a self-employed cleaner and laundry worker.
Comprehensive Training and Ongoing Support
One of the key factors that sealed the deal for Heidi was the comprehensive training program offered by Jim’s Group.
“Training was excellent,” she enthuses.
“Jim’s is very organized. Like with travel around you, everything — from transport, you know, airport pickup to emails to the logistics to meals, accommodation. Amazing. The communication, confirmation. It’s like a travel agent.”
During the 4-day training session at Jim’s headquarters, Heidi soaked up as much information as possible.
“I took a notebook and I wrote a lot of things down — dos and don’ts and a lot of advice and tips,” she says.
“But for me, it’s like, ‘Relax, do a good job, and customers will come to you.’ That’s what I’ve learned.”
Even after the initial training, Heidi continued to receive ongoing support from her local Sydney-based trainer.
“My trainer here in Sydney is very approachable,” she explains.
“Like even this morning, we exchanged a couple of ticks, and that solved. I asked him a question, and he came back to me like, ‘Wow, that was fast.’ I love hearing that.”
This level of support has been invaluable for Heidi as she navigates the ins and outs of running her own laundry business.
“I have a lot of people on my side, so I don’t need to make every little decision on my own,” she says.
“If I used to be self-employed and a customer doesn’t pay, what do I do? I’ve done it for free. But now, I can ask my trainer, I can ask my franchisor, ‘How do I invoice this? Is this the right way?’“
Exceeding Earnings Goals in Just 2 Weeks
With the comprehensive training and ongoing support in place, Heidi was able to hit the ground running with her new laundry franchise.
In fact, she was already exceeding her earnings goals within the first two weeks.
“The pay-for-work guarantee for launchable, I think it’s $1,300,” Heidi explains.
“I’ve already gone above that, almost this week. I did let Bill know, ‘I’m going to take my time. I’m not going to do the pay-for-guaranteed step. I just need to learn the system, learn the job. Just give me about a month.’“
But Heidi’s enthusiasm and drive couldn’t be contained.
“I’m already excited,” she admits.
“With this business, my heart was set on, ‘I’m going to do this.’ You know, like you tell your friends and family how excited I am.”
Even when faced with skepticism from loved ones, Heidi remained undeterred.
“Sometimes not everyone’s on the same page as you. They go, ‘Oh, but are you sure?’ I’m genuinely concerned about me, because they go, ‘Oh, but what if it doesn’t work out?’ And no, you won’t. You won’t know until you give it a go.“
Handling the First Big Client: A 21-Basket NDIS Job
One of Heidi’s first major clients was an NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) customer with a substantial laundry order.
“There were 21 baskets to be done within 24 hours,” she recalls.
“We made it happen. I came at 9:00 a.m. It’s a lot. But we don’t normally do that. It’s a 4-day turnaround for that sort of workload, but it was this one special case, urgent.”
Despite the challenging task, Heidi and her team rose to the occasion.
“They were so impressed when I went to return it,” she says.
“They rebooked me, and they had another few bags for me to take.”
The key to handling this large, time-sensitive job?
Preparation and a willingness to go the extra mile.
“It had bed bugs,” Heidi explains. “So we need to kill all that in the laundry pack we received in a box with all the detergent and sprays and soaker and things. It had an antibacterial in there. So I used that antibacterial to clean those clothes to cure the bacteria, which was really good.”
Providing Exceptional Service to Customers
Beyond the NDIS client, Heidi has also been serving local domestic customers with her Jim’s Laundry franchise. Her approach is centered on building trust, reliability, and going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
“From my experience with the customers that I have so far, they’re really happy with me and my service and reliability, punctuality,” Heidi says.
“Like, I stitch the quote, and then I provide excellent work quality. So if they’re not happy, I let them know. If you feel the stain hasn’t come out, because, you know, soaking was part of the quote, I redo it. No charge.”
Heidi’s commitment to quality and customer service has earned her rave reviews.
“There’s a 100% guarantee on my work,” she explains.
“I’m happy to do that. And they’re all locals here. It’s not out of the way. I’m working within my area. That’s why I chose this franchise. I’m not going here to the other side of Sydney. Too much traffic, stress.”
By focusing on building relationships within her local community, Heidi has been able to attract a steady stream of customers.
Leveraging Social Media to Reach the Community
In addition to her personable approach, Heidi has also been leveraging social media to connect with potential customers in her local area.
“We were taught at the training, social media is really good to reach out to my area and the community,” she says.
Heidi has been creating short, engaging videos that showcase her personality and the services she provides.
“Put captions, subtitles, sometimes can’t listen to on the train, read your videos,” she explains.
“They were good. I think they’re really personal, and that’s what I like about it.”
The Jim’s Group team has been impressed with Heidi’s social media efforts, which they believe are a key factor in her early success.
Heidi’s Facebook page, Jim’s Laundry Services Miranda, is a testament to her social media savvy.
By consistently sharing relatable, behind-the-scenes content, she’s been able to build a strong connection with her local community.
Mastering Tough Stains and Customer Expectations at Jim’s Laundry
Of course, running a laundry business isn’t without its challenges.
Heidi has had to tackle some tough stains and manage customer expectations along the way.
“The one that I came across with a commercial client is the kitchen,” she explains.
“Whether it’s the uniform, you know, soaked in sweat, or the food is all like ketchup, sauce, all dried up. Oh, wow. It’s once a week. So you would have to sit there for a few days a week, drying.”
To tackle these stubborn stains, Heidi relies on a combination of soaking, spot-cleaning, and following the care instructions.
“It needs to be soaked overnight, and any tough stains still don’t come. I just spray a little bit of bleach, but not overdo it — you know, just a spot, not the whole garment — and read the care label.”
When it comes to the NDIS client with the bed bug-infested laundry, Heidi took a meticulous approach to ensure the clothes were properly sanitized.
By staying adaptable and following the customer’s specific instructions, Heidi was able to deliver exceptional results, even in the face of challenging stains and soiled items.
Outsourcing Business Systems to Focus on Growth
As Heidi’s laundry business has grown, she’s also had to navigate the administrative side of running a franchise.
Rather than trying to handle everything herself, Heidi has been proactive about outsourcing tasks that don’t align with her strengths.
“For example, I know I enjoy when I do laundry, but there are things that are time-consuming,” she explains.
“So for my first customer, I thought, ‘I’ll give it a go, doing my own invoicing through Xero.’ No, took me 2 hours, and I had to delay. I contacted Jim’s bookkeeping.”
Heidi realized that outsourcing the bookkeeping and invoicing tasks would allow her to focus on the core aspects of her business.
“I said, ‘Would you know anyone that does Xero training?’ Next thing I know, I get a call from a bookkeeper franchisee in Engadine. So we’ve set a date for next week to do face-to-face Xero training on how to create template invoices, receipts, quotes, just go through, like, adding items, prices.”
By leveraging the support and resources available through the Jim’s Group network, Heidi has been able to streamline her business operations and devote more time to serving her customers.
“Anything that’s going to consume my time and not enjoyable, like paperwork, I outsource, get someone else to do it, their job,” she says.
Advice for Aspiring Franchisees
For those considering starting their own laundry business or joining the Jim’s Group franchise network, Heidi has some valuable advice to share.
“I really encourage, like, yesterday I received a phone call from a potential franchisee,” she says.
“He said, ‘Oh, got your number from Bill. Is it all right if I have a chat?’ Go, ‘No worries.’ That’s exactly what I did before I joined.”
Heidi emphasizes the importance of doing your research and taking advantage of the resources available.
“Of course, you know, if you’re feeling a bit hesitant, ask questions or go to an open day,” she suggests.
“That’s what there was an open day in Sydney for laundry. I believe it was the first one.”
Ultimately, Heidi’s advice boils down to following your gut and taking the leap.
For Heidi, taking that leap of faith has paid off in spades.
“My goals, number one, I think this business is giving me flexibility and I don’t have to work weekends anymore, which is great,” she says.
If you’re ready to follow in Heidi’s footsteps and explore the world of laundry franchising, be sure to check out the Jim’s Group franchise opportunities.
With comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a proven business model, Jim’s Laundry could be the perfect fit for your entrepreneurial dreams.