Warren, a new Jim’s Mowing franchisee in Queensland, recently shared valuable insights about his first six weeks in business that every franchise owner should hear.
From leaving a secure but demanding council job to building early momentum with Jim’s, his story is proof of what determination and the right support network can achieve.
From Council Drains to Gardens
Before joining Jim’s, Warren spent seven years working as a drainer for the local council.
The long hours, on-call nights, and exposure to sewage made him rethink his future, especially after becoming a new father.
“Working with the sewage, bringing back bacteria, it just wasn’t good,” he said.
His wife encouraged him to pursue what he truly enjoyed: gardening.
“She noticed that I really enjoy doing that, and she said, you’ve got to do something you enjoy.”
The Leap from Independent to Franchisee
Like many who consider franchising, Warren first tried going independent.
“I already went independent for probably five weeks prior to coming to Jim’s. It’s a world out there to be independent, so it’s kind of scary. You’ve basically got to go door-knocking to get the work,” he explained.
The contrast with Jim’s was immediate.
“Once I got the leads through Jim’s, the first week was a bit quiet, then it just turned into something I’ve never had before.”
Warren was also impressed by Jim’s training in Melbourne.
“The people who came in to present it presented it with a lot of passion. They came from experience, and that drew everyone in.”
He was encouraged to see even long-time independent operators joining Jim’s for the stability of regular leads.
Early Wins and Big Numbers
Six weeks into his new venture, Warren has already delivered standout results.
“Last week I made $8,700 in one week,” he told interviewer Joel Kleber.
“I haven’t been doing much mowing this time of the year, but I’ve been doing gardening, landscaping, all sorts of different odd jobs.”
One of his biggest jobs was rejuvenating a one-and-a-half-acre hillside garden that had been left in poor condition.
“After the first day of work in there, they said, no, we want you. They actually paid me an extra $500, which was pretty nice.”
Those clients have since asked him to design their garden and take on ongoing work.
The Jim’s Advantage
For Warren, the value of the Jim’s brand was clear from day one.
“With Jim’s, you’ve got everything there: liability insurance, your trailer, your equipment, the support network. And the leads are of good quality. People are searching Jim’s Mowing because they want Jim’s,” he explained.
Jim’s Group, with more than 5,500 franchisees, is Australia’s largest franchise network.
For Warren, that backing provided instant credibility and a pipeline of work that he never had as an independent.
Learning to Quote with Confidence
One of Warren’s biggest lessons has been quoting.
“I asked the customer for a bit more time, took photos, and really thought it through. I put all the numbers together, fuel, tip runs, paying a worker, and walked in confidently with a number. They just went, yep, done.”
That experience taught him that professionalism and confidence often matter as much as the price itself.
Looking Ahead
Warren already has big plans.
“Basically, I want to split it into two. I want to be landscaping with probably another two labourers, and have somebody else out there mowing lawns. Eventually, I want to be a franchisor,” he said.
Takeaways for Franchise Owners
Warren’s story shows how quickly a Jim’s franchise can deliver results with the right mindset:
- Follow your passion and back yourself.
- Use the Jim’s brand and systems to secure high-quality leads.
- Quote with confidence by factoring in all costs and walking in prepared.
- Build long-term clients by delivering quality from day one.
As Warren put it, “Fear makes you more determined. It gives you more drive to work harder.”
For those considering a Jim’s franchise, his story is proof that success can come quickly with the right support and effort. To learn more about starting your own business with Jim’s, visit jims.net.