Running a successful mowing and garden care business takes passion, dedication, and the right support system.
In this in-depth interview with Joel Kleber, Rory Green, a thriving Jim’s Mowing franchisee, shares his insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own lawn care business.
Rory’s journey into the world of franchising began when he and his family moved to Queensland.
After working in the tire industry, Rory knew he wanted to be his own boss and run a business that aligned with his love for the outdoors.
That’s when he discovered Jim’s Mowing, a leading franchise group in the lawn care and gardening industry.
Choosing the Right Franchise for Your First Business
When it comes to starting a new business, Rory emphasizes the importance of leveraging the support and resources that a franchise can provide, especially for first-time entrepreneurs.
“Being the first business I was going to have and run, I wanted to make sure it was going to get some help and support along the way,” Rory explains.
Rory researched several franchise options, including VIP and a local brand called Andrew’s Mowing Service.
However, Jim’s Mowing stood out as the clear choice for Rory due to its comprehensive support system, brand recognition, and proven track record.
One of the key advantages Rory highlights about the Jim’s Mowing franchise model is the fixed fee structure, rather than a percentage-based model that many other franchises employ.
“We don’t give a percentage of our profits to Jim; we have a set fee,” Rory explains.
“Whereas a lot of the other ones, like Domino’s and Subway, they give a percentage, so the more money they make, the more money they give away to their franchisor or their head of their division.”
Jim’s Mowing: Overcoming the Challenges of Starting a New Business
Starting a new business can be challenging, and Rory shares a memorable story from his first week as a Jim’s Mowing franchisee.
“On my first day, I went out to a job for a young university student who had a property that was so overgrown, it was probably about half an acre of grass and palm trees,” Rory recalls.
“I spent all day there cleaning up palm fronds and then just whipper snipping or grass cutting the grass down to a manageable height.”
After a successful first day, Rory was on his way home when disaster struck.
“I hung up the phone, I turned out of their street, and my axle snapped on my trailer, and the passenger side tire just started overtaking me,” Rory says.
“I got a tow truck, got the trailer fixed up, and on the road the next day, but while I was standing there, I was like, ‘Oh no, I’m gonna have to go back and work for someone else. This is gonna cost a fortune. I’m screwed.’“
Despite the initial setback, Rory persevered and hasn’t looked back since.
“Got it fixed, had to have one day off, hit the road the following day, and haven’t looked back,” he says.
“Struggle breeds greatness, as they say.”
Building a Successful Jim’s Mowing and Garden Care Business
As Rory reflects on his journey, he emphasizes the importance of being willing to take on as much work as possible, especially in the early stages of the business.
“I probably under-quoted a bit on my initial work, but it was done on purpose to get the foot in the door and get as much work as you possibly can,” Rory explains.
- Rory’s advice for new franchisees: “When you’re starting out early, any new franchisee that’s looking at this and getting into this industry, you’ve got to be willing to hit the ground running.”
- He emphasizes the need to be prepared to work hard and take on challenging jobs, even if they’re not the most profitable at first. “You’ve got to wanna work in this industry. You’ve got to like to get out there and get your sweat on because it is hard work.”
Rory’s dedication to his business has paid off, and he’s now in a position to consider expanding his operations through a process called “splitting.”
This involves selling off a portion of his clients and territory to focus on a more condensed area, allowing him to continue growing his business without the added burden of managing a larger geographic footprint.
Rory’s approach to splitting his business is strategic, focusing on location-based factors rather than trying to scale up by hiring employees.
“I don’t really feel like at this stage I want to get employees and grow that way,” Rory says.
“I think I’d rather just keep splitting off the business and make a nice tidy little profit every couple of years.”
The Importance of Ongoing Training and Support at Jim’s Mowing
One of the key benefits of joining a franchise like Jim’s Mowing is the comprehensive training and support provided to new franchisees.
Rory recalls his experience attending the initial training sessions at Jim’s headquarters, which covered a wide range of topics essential to running a successful mowing and garden care business.
- “It was the FIVE days dedicated with just the mowing guys, that was where we got a lot of hands-on experience on repairs and maintenance, plant and weed identification, quoting, and hanging out with all the guys,” Rory says.
- He also highlights the valuable input from industry experts, such as Mike Davenport and Ben Ward, who provided insights on topics like horticulture and quoting.
- “The benefit I got the most out of it was definitely Des coming in and going through being a qualified horticulturist. He helped us out no end,” Rory adds.
The ongoing support from the franchisor, Brendan, has also been crucial to Rory’s success.
“Brendan is my franchisor. He’s a great bloke, definitely like a mentor, a teacher,” Rory explains.
“Any support you need for doing anything with the business, like selling a split, looking at purchasing more territory, any queries you’ve got, the franchisor should be able to answer them for you and help you out as best they can.”
Jim’s Mowing: Embracing the Physical Demands of the Job
One of the unique aspects of running a mowing and garden care business is the physical demands of the work.
Rory shares his experience of adjusting to the rigors of the job, especially in the early days.
“Those first couple of months, I was just taking on as much stuff as I possibly could. Some jobs that, looking back on now, I probably wouldn’t have the need to try and do, but when you’re first starting out, you’re just getting a handle on the physical,” Rory says.
“I thought I was fit. I was like, ‘Lifting weights and running and stuff,’ and then I went out there on a whipper snipper for a day and had to hack down a paddock, and I just about died.”
Rory’s advice to new franchisees is to be prepared for the physical demands of the job and to consider bringing on trial workers to gauge their stamina and fitness level.
“If you string a few days, maybe come out for three, four days or even a week, it’ll definitely benefit because you don’t know what it’s really like until you’re halfway through a big job and you’re just going, ‘Wow, I’ve bitten off more than I can chew here.’”
However, Rory has found that the physical demands of the job have actually had a positive impact on his overall health and well-being.
“It’s amazing what it does for you, getting out and just staying mobile,” he says.
“My hips all loosened up, my lower back loosened up, and that’s been the best thing I did, was get into this mowing game.”
Jim’s Mowing: Embracing Technology and Staying Motivated
In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in running a successful mowing and garden care business.
Rory has embraced the use of technology to stay connected, informed, and motivated throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
- “The best thing about the mowing, doing it for a living, is I’ve got these in all day,” Rory says, referring to his noise-cancelling headphones. “I listen to way too much Joe Rogan, I’m starting to believe in aliens.”
- Rory also listens to a variety of podcasts, audiobooks, and sports commentary to stay engaged and energized throughout the workday.
- He recommends the Jim’s Cast podcast as a valuable resource for franchisees, as well as other industry-specific podcasts like “Lawn Care Business Success” by Giulio Tumey.
Rory’s passion for his work is evident, and he encourages aspiring franchisees to immerse themselves in the industry and develop a genuine love for what they do.
“Treat your business like it’s a hobby, not a job,” Rory advises.
“When I say ‘hobby,’ I mean like you grow to love something the more you immerse yourself in it, the more you love it.”
The Importance of Embracing a Franchise Model with Jim’s Mowing
For Rory, the decision to join a franchise like Jim’s Mowing was a strategic one, particularly as a first-time business owner.
He emphasizes the benefits of the franchise model, which provides a support system, brand recognition, and a proven system for success.
“When you’re the first business I was going to have and run, I wanted to make sure it was going to get some help and support along the way,” Rory explains.
“I looked into a couple of other franchise groups, and Jim’s just stood out head and shoulders above the rest.”
Rory also addresses the common misconception that franchising is too expensive or that it’s better to start an independent business.
He shares his perspective on the financial realities of running a mowing and garden care business, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of the franchise model compared to the expenses of marketing and branding an independent operation.
- “I would spend more money on a monthly basis on marketing myself out of my own pocket than I pay for fees on a monthly basis, and that covers everything,” Rory says.
- He emphasizes that the franchise fees provide access to a well-established brand, marketing support, and a steady stream of leads, which can be more cost-effective than trying to build an independent business from scratch.
Rory’s experience serves as a testament to the value of the franchise model, particularly for first-time entrepreneurs looking to enter the mowing and garden care industry with the support and resources they need to succeed.
Jim’s Mowing: Providing Exceptional Customer Service
At the heart of Rory’s success is his unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
He recognizes the importance of addressing customer concerns and maintaining a positive reputation, which is why he takes the franchise’s complaint process seriously.
“I keep getting five stars, and I keep going back and checking, and it’s still four point nine,” Rory says with a laugh.
“I might have to look at that and see if I can knock one off or something.”
Rory’s approach to handling customer complaints is to address them proactively and use them as an opportunity to improve his service.
“If you haven’t done anything terrible where the customer doesn’t want to hear from you ever again, you can fix the problem and get the complaint wiped,” he explains.
By embracing the franchise’s complaint process and using it to drive continuous improvement, Rory has been able to maintain a stellar reputation and keep his customers satisfied, which is a key driver of his success.
Building a Family-Friendly Business with Jim’s Mowing
One of the most significant benefits of running a mowing and garden care franchise like Jim’s Mowing is the ability to create a family-friendly business.
Rory has been able to strike a healthy work-life balance, allowing him to spend more time with his wife and young son.
“I’m healthier, I’m fitter, I’m outside breathing fresh air, I’m spending twice as much time with my family with my wife and my son than I was living in the city behind a desk,” Rory says.
“It’s just a much, much better lifestyle than what I was living before.”
Rory’s plans for the future include potentially bringing his wife, Gemma, into the business as a full-time partner, further solidifying the family-centric nature of his enterprise.
“The plan is to turn it into a bit of a family business,” Rory says.
By embracing the flexibility and work-life balance that a mowing and garden care franchise can provide, Rory has been able to create a thriving business that aligns with his personal values and priorities.
Rory Green’s journey as a Jim’s Mowing franchisee is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the right support system.
By embracing the franchise model, Rory has been able to build a successful mowing and garden care business that not only provides him with a fulfilling career but also allows him to enjoy a better quality of life.
Rory’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: be willing to work hard, immerse yourself in the industry, and leverage the resources and support that a franchise can provide.
With the right mindset and the backing of a proven system, the path to running a successful mowing and garden care business is within reach.
To learn more about Jim’s Mowing and explore franchise opportunities, visit the Jim’s Group website or call 131 546.
Be sure to check out Jim’s YouTube channel for more insights and advice from a thriving Jim’s Mowing franchisee.