Building a Thriving Lawn Care Business from the Ground Up
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Long Nguyen found himself in a difficult position.
As the owner of an F45 fitness franchise, his business was devastated by the lockdowns and restrictions.
But rather than give up, Long saw an opportunity to pivot and start a new venture – a Jim’s Mowing franchise.
Long recognized that the lawn care industry offered stability and flexibility, even in the face of a global crisis.
So in October 2021, he purchased a Jim’s Mowing franchise in the Fairfield area and got to work building his new business.
Mastering the Fundamentals
At the start, Long knew he needed to get his hands dirty and learn the ins and outs of the lawn care business.
For the first 3-6 months, he was out on the tools, working alongside another employee to service customers.
This hands-on experience was crucial for Long to truly understand the equipment, the work, and the customer expectations.
By immersing himself in the day-to-day operations, Long was able to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage his team and business.
He learned how to properly use the equipment, communicate with customers, and ensure a high level of service.
Bringing on a Business Partner
As the workload continued to grow, Long realized he couldn’t handle it all on his own.
So he brought on a business partner, giving him 50% ownership of the franchise.
This strategic partnership allowed Long to focus on the administrative and managerial aspects of the business, while his partner handled the hands-on field work.
It was a smart division of responsibilities that played to each of their strengths and helped the business run more efficiently.
Building a Team of 10 Employees
As the business continued to grow, Long knew he needed to build a team to keep up with the demand.
Over the course of 2 years, he has grown his workforce to 10 people, including a mix of full-time, part-time, and casual employees.
Hiring the right people and keeping them engaged has been a key challenge, but Long has developed a strategic approach to managing his team:
- Thorough Screening and Training: Long makes sure to carefully screen and train each new hire, ensuring they have the necessary skills and can effectively communicate with customers.
- Clear Communication and Guidance: He emphasizes the importance of keeping his employees informed and providing them with clear direction and support. No one is left feeling “on their own.”
- Fair Work Distribution: Long makes a conscious effort to evenly distribute the workload, ensuring no one is overburdened with the harder jobs day after day.
- Fostering a Positive Culture: By treating his employees well and making them feel valued, Long has built a positive, collaborative team dynamic.
Maintaining a strong, reliable workforce has been critical to the success of Long’s Jim’s Mowing franchise.
By investing in his team and creating a positive work environment, he’s been able to scale the business and take on more customers.
Embracing the Flexibility of the Jim’s Mowing Model
One of the key advantages of the Jim’s Mowing franchise model, according to Long, is the flexibility it offers.
Unlike a traditional 9-to-5 job, the lawn care business allows him to structure his workday and workflow in a way that works best for him and his team.
Balancing Work and Life
As a business owner with two young children, Long has had to find ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The nature of the Jim’s Mowing business has allowed him to do just that.
Rather than being out in the field all day, every day, Long has been able to take on more of a managerial and administrative role.
This has given him the flexibility to spend time with his family while still driving the growth of his business.
By delegating the field work to his team and focusing on the backend operations, Long has been able to achieve a better work-life balance – something that is often elusive for small business owners.
Adapting to Seasonal Fluctuations
Another key benefit of the Jim’s Mowing model is its ability to adapt to seasonal changes in demand.
As Long explains, the lawn care business can be quite cyclical, with a significant drop-off in work during the winter months.
To combat this seasonal fluctuation, Long has made a conscious effort to keep his lead pipeline open year-round.
This ensures that his team has a steady flow of work, even during the slower winter months.
While it may mean a busier peak season, it ultimately provides more stability and consistency for his employees.
By diversifying the services offered and maintaining a robust lead generation strategy, Long has been able to smooth out the seasonal ups and downs of the lawn care business.
This flexibility has been a key driver of his franchise’s success.
Leveraging the Jim’s Group Ecosystem
One of the major advantages of operating a Jim’s Mowing franchise, according to Long, is the support and resources provided by the Jim’s Group organization.
As a franchisee, he has access to a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and tools that have been instrumental in growing his business.
The Power of the Jim’s Group Brand
The Jim’s Group brand is well-established and highly respected in the Australian market, with over 580 different services offered under the Jim’s name.
This brand recognition and reputation have been a valuable asset for Long’s franchise.
As a franchisee, Long has been able to leverage the Jim’s Group brand to attract new customers and build trust in the local community.
The brand’s strong reputation and marketing efforts have helped drive leads and referrals to his business.
Ongoing Support and Training
In addition to the brand power, Long has also benefited greatly from the support and training provided by the Jim’s Group organization.
As a new franchisee, he was able to tap into the expertise of his franchise manager, Paul, who provided guidance and advice throughout the startup process.
This ongoing support has been invaluable, as Long has been able to navigate the challenges of running a lawn care business with the help of experienced professionals.
The Jim’s Group team has provided training, resources, and advice to help him optimize his operations and drive growth.
Accessing the Jim’s Group Network
Beyond the direct support from the franchise organization, Long has also been able to leverage the broader Jim’s Group network to his advantage.
As part of the Jim’s Mowing franchise, he has access to a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and connections within the larger Jim’s Group ecosystem.
This network has allowed Long to stay up-to-date on industry trends, access additional services and resources, and connect with other successful franchisees.
By tapping into this broader community, he has been able to continuously improve and expand his own business.
Embracing the Entrepreneurial Mindset
At the heart of Long’s success with his Jim’s Mowing franchise is his entrepreneurial mindset and drive.
From the very beginning, he has approached this venture with a growth-oriented, ambitious mindset – and it has paid off.
Seizing Opportunities
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and his F45 fitness business was devastated, Long didn’t let that setback define him.
Instead, he saw an opportunity in the lawn care industry and seized it.
This willingness to adapt and explore new possibilities has been a key driver of Long’s success.
He didn’t let the challenges of the pandemic hold him back – instead, he proactively sought out a new business opportunity that aligned with his skills and values.
Ambitious Growth Mindset
Even after establishing his Jim’s Mowing franchise, Long has maintained an ambitious, growth-oriented mindset.
Rather than being content with a small, lifestyle-based business, he has actively worked to scale and expand his operations.
Long’s willingness to push the boundaries of what’s possible has been a key factor in his rapid growth.
He hasn’t been afraid to take risks and invest in expanding his team and operations, all with the goal of building a thriving, scalable business.
Embracing the Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Finally, Long has fully embraced the entrepreneurial lifestyle that comes with running a Jim’s Mowing franchise.
He understands that being a business owner means being constantly engaged and responsive to the needs of the business.
This commitment to the business, even outside of traditional work hours, has been essential to Long’s success.
He recognizes that being an entrepreneur requires a certain level of dedication and hustle – and he’s more than willing to put in the effort to make his franchise thrive.
Long’s journey with Jim’s Mowing is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the opportunities available within the Jim’s Group ecosystem.
By embracing the flexibility and scalability of the lawn care business model, he has been able to build a thriving enterprise that aligns with his values and lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking to start a new business or expand an existing one, the Jim’s Mowing franchise offers a proven path to success.
With the support of the Jim’s Group organization, the stability of the lawn care industry, and the entrepreneurial mindset to drive growth, the possibilities are endless.
To learn more about owning a Jim’s Mowing franchise, be sure to check out the Jim’s Group website and request an information pack.
You can also connect with the Jim’s Group community on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
And if you’re interested in hearing more entrepreneurial insights and business advice, be sure to check out the Jim’s Podcast – available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.