If you’re looking to start your own business and become your own boss, a Jim’s Mowing franchise could be the perfect opportunity.
Just ask Gerald Schlebusch, who has built an incredibly successful Jim’s Mowing franchise over the past three years.
Gerald shared the secrets to his success and provided invaluable insights for anyone considering a Jim’s Mowing franchise.
From his rigorous training program to his focus on building a strong team culture, Gerald’s approach offers a roadmap for achieving remarkable growth and profitability.
Joining the Jim’s Mowing Family
Gerald’s journey with Jim’s Mowing began three years ago when he was looking for a new business opportunity.
After a previous business venture fell through, Gerald’s brother encouraged him to explore the Jim’s Mowing franchise.
From that initial meeting, Gerald was eager to dive in and get his new Jim’s Mowing franchise up and running.
He brought on an experienced worker from his previous landscaping projects to help him get started, and within the first few months, his business was already doubling in size.
Tapping into the Wealth of Knowledge
One of the key factors in Gerald’s rapid success was the support and guidance he received from the Jim’s Mowing team, particularly Ian Hollis and John.
The Jim’s Mowing team introduced Gerald to the concept of the “million-dollar man,” Scotty Little, and encouraged him to model his business after Scotty’s success.
Gerald eagerly embraced this mentorship, seeking out the advice and best practices of experienced Jim’s Mowing operators who had been in the business for 10-15 years.
Gerald credits the Jim’s Mowing team’s guidance and the wealth of knowledge from seasoned franchisees as crucial to his rapid growth and success.
By tapping into the expertise of the Jim’s Mowing network, Gerald was able to quickly implement proven strategies and avoid common pitfalls.
The ongoing support and communication from the Jim’s Mowing team, including regular check-ins and feedback, helped Gerald stay on track and continuously improve his operations.
Building a Culture of Excellence
At the heart of Gerald’s success is his unwavering commitment to excellence and his focus on creating a strong, disciplined team culture.
From the very beginning, Gerald set his sights on achieving a 5-star rating for his franchise, which he has maintained as the top-rated Jim’s Mowing operator in his region.
Gerald has instilled this commitment to excellence across every aspect of his business, from finance and operations to customer service and equipment maintenance.
He has built a team of dedicated, highly trained professionals who share his passion for delivering the highest level of service.
Gerald’s focus on a 5-star rating has been a driving force in his success, setting him apart from the competition and establishing his franchise as a benchmark for quality.
By applying the 5-star rating principles to every facet of his business, Gerald has created a culture of excellence that permeates his entire team.
Regular training, ongoing feedback, and a relentless pursuit of improvement have been key to maintaining this high level of performance.
Scaling for Sustainable Growth
With his strong foundation of excellence, Gerald has been able to scale his Jim’s Mowing franchise at an impressive rate.
In the first year alone, his business saw a minimum 30% growth, and he has continued to build on that momentum year after year.
To support this rapid growth, Gerald has assembled a talented team of full-time staff, including a senior manager who oversees operations, a wife who handles invoicing and finance, and a team of 30-40 workers who service a wide range of residential and commercial clients.
Gerald’s commitment to continuous improvement and his willingness to learn from experienced Jim’s Mowing operators have been key to his ability to scale his business.
By implementing strict disciplines and standards, Gerald has been able to maintain a high level of quality and efficiency as his business has grown.
Investing in a strong team of dedicated professionals has allowed Gerald to take a more strategic, managerial approach to his business, freeing him up to focus on growth and expansion.
The Power of Training and Development
One of the cornerstones of Gerald’s success has been his focus on training and development, both for himself and his team.
As someone with a strong educational background, including an MBA and a master’s degree in business, Gerald was well-equipped to navigate the Jim’s Mowing training program.
While the initial Jim’s Mowing training provided a solid foundation, Gerald recognized the importance of ongoing learning and development.
He has implemented a comprehensive training program for all new hires, requiring them to watch training videos and go through four hours of paid training to ensure they fully understand and embrace the Jim’s Mowing way of doing business.
Gerald’s extensive educational background and previous experience in IT management have given him a unique perspective on the importance of training and development.
The Jim’s Mowing training program provided a strong starting point, but Gerald has taken it a step further by implementing his own rigorous training regimen for all new hires.
By ensuring that his team is fully aligned with the Jim’s Mowing culture and standards, Gerald has been able to maintain a consistently high level of performance and customer service.
Pricing and Quoting for Profitability
Another key aspect of Gerald’s success has been his approach to pricing and quoting jobs.
Rather than focusing on an hourly rate, Gerald has developed a model that prioritizes profitability and efficiency.
Gerald’s pricing strategy takes into account factors like travel time, equipment usage, and the overall productivity of his team.
By setting clear targets and maintaining a high level of efficiency, he has been able to achieve remarkable profitability while still delivering exceptional value to his customers.
Gerald’s pricing model is based on achieving a minimum revenue target per job, rather than an hourly rate.
By carefully considering factors like travel time and team productivity, Gerald has been able to price his services at a premium while still remaining competitive.
This focus on profitability has allowed Gerald to invest in high-quality equipment, maintain a well-trained team, and continuously improve his operations.
Work-Life Balance and Personal Fulfillment
While Gerald’s business success is undoubtedly impressive, he has also found a way to maintain a healthy work-life balance and pursue his personal passions.
One of the key benefits of owning a Jim’s Mowing franchise, according to Gerald, is the freedom and flexibility it provides.
In addition to his thriving Jim’s Mowing franchise, Gerald is an avid fisherman and enjoys spending quality time with his family.
He has been able to strike a balance between his professional and personal life, allowing him to pursue his passions while still maintaining a successful business.
The flexibility and freedom offered by a Jim’s Mowing franchise have allowed Gerald to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Gerald’s passion for fishing and his commitment to spending time with his family are important aspects of his life that he has been able to prioritize.
By building a strong team and implementing efficient systems, Gerald has been able to step back from the day-to-day operations and focus on the strategic growth of his business.
Joining the Jim’s Mowing Family
If you’re inspired by Gerald’s story and are considering starting your own Jim’s Mowing franchise, there are a few key steps you can take to get started:
- Visit the Jim’s Group website to learn more about the franchise opportunities and request an information pack.
- Explore the Jim’s Mowing franchise page to understand the requirements and process for becoming a franchisee.
- Check out the Jim’s Group YouTube channel for more inspiring stories and valuable insights from successful franchisees like Gerald.
- Connect with the Jim’s Group team by calling 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand to discuss your business goals and explore the franchise opportunities.
With the support of the Jim’s Mowing team, the wealth of knowledge from experienced franchisees, and a commitment to excellence, you too can build a thriving, profitable business like Gerald Schlebusch.
Take the first step today and join the Jim’s Mowing family.