From Farm Life to Franchise Owner: Brett’s Journey to Success | Joel Kleber Interview
At just 31 years old, Brett has already accomplished something many people only dream of – becoming his own boss and achieving financial freedom.
After growing up on a family farm in rural Western Australia, Brett made the bold decision to leave the familiar comforts of country life behind and start a new chapter with a Jim’s Mowing franchise in Perth.
In this in-depth interview with Joel Kleber, Brett shares the inspiring story of how he and his wife built a thriving gardening and landscaping business from the ground up.
From the initial training and support they received from the Jim’s team, to the unexpected challenges and triumphs they’ve faced in their first year, Brett’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and taking a chance on yourself.
Most importantly, Brett’s story highlights why the Jim’s Mowing franchise model is an incredible opportunity, especially for younger people looking to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind and take control of their own financial future.
As Brett explains, the flexibility, earning potential, and support network provided by Jim’s Mowing have allowed him to achieve a work-life balance that was simply impossible on the family farm.
Why Brett Left Farm Life to Start a Jim’s Mowing Business in the City
Brett left rural Western Australia to start a new chapter in Perth.
Jim’s Mowing gave him the confidence to turn a dream into a thriving business.
However, Brett reveals that the idea of becoming a Jim’s franchisee had been brewing in his mind for some time, even before the family’s relocation.
“I had always thought of being a gardener, but the words I said were ‘I’m going to be a Jim’s mowing person’,” he recalls.
“I don’t know why I said that, but that’s someone coming from rural Western Australia, where there isn’t any Jim’s that was what came to my mind above, just being a gardener.“
After doing some research and attending the comprehensive Jim’s training program, Brett and his wife were convinced that this was the right path forward.
As Brett explains, “the more we looked into it, the more confidence we got. Training was brilliant – if I get nothing more out of this, it was worth coming.”
How Brett Built 25 Regular Clients in His First Month
With 72 leads in 30 days, Brett and his wife hit the ground running.
The Jim’s brand, expert training, and their strong work ethic drove early success.
Brett attributes this rapid growth to a few key factors:
- The Power of the Jim’s Brand: “The trust the brand is there – the reputation is there,” Brett says. “It did take me a few weeks to really start trusting my quoting, but the people just don’t know that we’re working for somebody, which we’re not. We’ve bought our own piece of a very successful, very large business.“
- Comprehensive Training and Support: The training provided by Jim’s, particularly from experienced franchisees like Peter, gave Brett and his wife the confidence and know-how to hit the ground running. “Peter really just mentored us well in the way of this is what I do, this is why I’m successful,” Brett explains.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: As former farmers, Brett and his wife were used to long hours and hard work. But the flexibility of running their own Jim’s Mowing franchise has been a game-changer. “You can just turn your phone off on a Sunday and have a day off – you can’t do that in farming,” Brett says.
Of course, the transition to self-employment hasn’t been without its challenges.
Brett admits that accurately pricing their services, especially factoring in the high costs of waste disposal, was a learning curve in the early days.
But by being transparent with customers and leaning on the support of the Jim’s network, they were able to find their footing quickly.
Is the Physical Side of Jim’s Mowing Hard Work—Or a Health Boost?
The job is more physical than Brett expected, but he sees it as a plus.
It’s helped improve his fitness, mindset, and daily satisfaction.
Brett believes this physical aspect of the job is a major draw for younger people looking to get into the industry.
“That’s where I think the younger people can really thrive with it,” he explains.
“You get out what you put in with this job. If you’re willing to work hard and set a standard for yourself, you can do really well.“
Beyond the physical benefits, Brett has also found that the outdoor nature of the work has had a positive impact on his mental health and overall well-being.
“It’s been very rewarding,” he says.
“I like that type of work – it’s very rewarding, the cleanups are a great one because you can see a massive transformation in a day.“
Can Jim’s Mowing Provide Daily Income and Real Financial Freedom?
Brett now gets paid the same day he works, unlike farming’s once-a-year payday.
More time with family and flexible hours make it all worthwhile.
“It was like I did a job and got paid before I got home,” Brett marvels.
“This doesn’t happen in farming – you work all year for your one big harvest, and if that doesn’t go well, you’re in trouble. With this, it’s just really nice getting rewarded for your hard work.“
The flexibility of running his own franchise has also been a game-changer for Brett’s family life.
“I was able to take the boys to school for their first day and watch the Super Bowl this weekend. It’s just so flexible.“
This work-life balance has been crucial for Brett and his wife, who have three young boys to care for.
“We’re going down to the farm on the weekend, so next weekend we’ll just work through the weekend,” Brett explains.
“It’s just building it how you want to build it. If it’s getting overwhelming, you can just turn your leads off for a day – it’s as simple as that.“
How Franchisor Support Helped Brett Navigate Early Challenges
Jim’s offers structure, mentorship, and a proven path.
Brett credits ongoing guidance from veteran franchisees for helping him navigate challenges.
“Peter really just mentored us well in the way of this is what I do, this is why I’m successful,” Brett says.
“If you work like this, if you present like this, leave a job like this, the rest is going to take care of it.“
This level of support has been invaluable, especially when it comes to tackling new challenges.
Whether it’s navigating complex landscaping projects or dealing with difficult customers, Brett knows he can always reach out to the Jim’s network for guidance and advice.
“Even if I don’t know, I can find someone who does,” he explains.
“The network that gives you such security going into a job – even if you don’t know, you can find someone who does.“
Why Jim’s Mowing Is a Great Option for Ambitious Young Australians
Brett says young people can skip the corporate grind and build wealth early.
With hard work and support, they can be their own boss from day one.
“I just think if you’re self-driven and you’ve got a work ethic, this is the safest way to be your own boss without being completely alone,” Brett says.
“The Jim’s Group is set up to find work for you – it takes the risk out of it.“
Brett believes that the physical nature of the work, combined with the flexibility and earning potential of running a Jim’s franchise, makes it an incredibly compelling option for younger generations.
“There’s just so much physical work out there that people don’t have to go and work for someone else for 15 years,” he explains.
“They can start at 22 and work for themselves the whole way through, build their business how they want to.“
To help bridge the gap and get more young people interested, Brett advocates for initiatives like observation days where aspiring franchisees can see the business in action firsthand.
“We just need to get people in vehicles driving around, seeing what we do, because it’s very rewarding,” he says.
Do You Need Experience or a Degree to Succeed in Jim’s Mowing?
Brett’s story proves you don’t need a degree or decades of experience to succeed.
If you’re motivated and ready to work, Jim’s Mowing can change your life.
Whether you’re a young person looking to break free from the traditional career path, or an experienced professional seeking a more fulfilling and flexible way of working, Brett’s story proves that the opportunities are out there – you just have to be willing to take the first step.
As Brett eloquently puts it, “there are just so many people that need help, and we can’t service everybody. So we’ve got to get more people in.“
If you’re ready to unlock your own path to success, explore the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity and see how it could transform your life, just like it did for Brett and his family.