Naldo Strydom, a Jim’s Mowing franchisee in Morrinsville, New Zealand, recently shared valuable insights about growing a successful franchise from the ground up, even during winter.
His journey shows what’s possible when you follow the system, stay persistent, and never say no to opportunity.
Taking the Leap into Business Ownership with Jim’s Mowing
After years of thinking about starting his own business, Naldo decided to take the leap when he and his wife moved to a lifestyle block outside Morrinsville.
“The traveling to work and back just took too much time,” he said.
“I got home one afternoon and told my wife, this is it, I want to start my own business.”
He found Jim’s Mowing online, did his training in Auckland, and jumped in headfirst.
“I didn’t do too much research into other franchises because everything I saw from Jim’s Mowing was good,” he explained.
“I was happy with the plans and the idea and how everything works.”
Despite starting in the middle of winter, Naldo quickly built momentum.
“At the moment, I’m sitting on 50 regular clients, halfway to my target for the end of the year,” he said proudly.
How Naldo Turned First-Year Challenges into a Smooth-Running System
Running a business for the first time wasn’t easy.
“It was really overwhelming. I didn’t know what to do,” Naldo admitted.
“I just did what we were told in the training, like pamphlet drops, pay-for-work guarantees, and talking to customers.”
His advice for new franchisees is to follow the process.
“Whatever they teach you in training, just do that. From the word get-go, I did exactly what we were told,” he said.
“Your first month, you shouldn’t be home before dark. Just knock on every door and keep going.”
Simple Strategies to Turn One-Time Jobs into Loyal Clients
One of Naldo’s biggest strengths has been converting one-time jobs into long-term clients.
“Don’t just go in there and mow the lawn,” he said.
“Blow the decks off, clear the footpaths, remove spiderwebs on porches. It only takes five minutes, but that little bit extra makes a big difference.”
He also uses a simple approach that many franchise owners can apply.
“Even if someone says they only want a once-off, I still ask, would it be okay if I give you a quote for a regular service?” he said.
“I haven’t had one person say no to that.”
That strategy has worked.
“About 80 percent of my once-off jobs, I’ve been able to convert into regulars,” he shared.
How Saying Yes to Every Opportunity Helped Naldo Grow Fast
Another reason for Naldo’s fast success is his willingness to take on anything.
“I haven’t said no to any job,” he said.
“I’ve done concrete slabs, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, and even paving. I just tell customers, like it says on my van, any odd job.”
That attitude has opened doors for repeat work and referrals.
“When people see you can help them with more than just mowing, they remember you,” he said.
What Naldo Learned About Pricing, Support, and Smart Growth
When it comes to pricing, Naldo admitted it was his biggest challenge.
“In the beginning, my pricing was too low,” he said.
“You have to decide what you want. Do you want a full run quickly or take your time to grow it properly? For me, I needed to pay the bills, so I raced to get my weekly income back. Now I can focus on growing profit.”
He also praised the Jim’s Group support system.
“The support is awesome. I can call my franchisor anytime, and he’ll call me back within five minutes,” Naldo said.
“They’ve helped me work out pricing and what equipment to get. Everyone’s really friendly and helpful.”
Naldo’s Straightforward Advice for Every Jim’s Franchise Owner
Naldo’s advice for others is straightforward:
- Contact every lead immediately and follow up if needed.
- Be reliable. “If you say you’ll be there, be there.”
- Do a little bit more than expected.
- Keep learning and stick to the system.
“I’ve met new people every day and I really enjoy it,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ll ever go back to working for someone else again.”
With more than 5,500 franchisees across Australia and New Zealand, Jim’s Group is the largest franchise network in the region, and Naldo’s story shows how the system works when you put in the effort.
To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit jims.co.nz.
Common Questions About Jim’s Mowing
Q: How much does it cost to start a Jim’s Mowing franchise?
Costs vary depending on the region and inclusions, but franchisees receive training, branding, and access to ongoing leads and support.
Q: Do I need experience in lawn care?
No. Jim’s provides full training for new franchisees. Naldo had never run a business before joining.
Listen to the Podcast Now:
- Watch Naldo Strydom’s interview from the Jim’s Podcast on YouTube.
Where to subscribe: Jim’s Podcast Website | iTunes | Spotify | YouTube