We get asked these questions every week. Here are honest answers from Emily, a new Jim’s Dog Wash franchisee with Jim’s Group. This article covers 3 of the most common questions about Jim’s vs solo and why Emily chose the franchise option.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why did you choose Jim’s Dog Wash?
Emily chose Jim’s Dog Wash because it gave her a known brand, a support structure, and a set fee model while still letting her start her own dog wash business.
She had already decided she wanted to work in dog washing. The real question was whether she should go independent or join a franchise. In her words, she was “weighing up working as an independent” and decided that franchising was probably a good option.
What stood out was not just the idea of franchising. It was Jim’s Group specifically. Emily said there were “a lot of things about Jim’s that really put it above other franchises and above going independent”. That matters for someone starting fresh, especially when they are moving from a job into a service business where reputation, bookings, training, and local trust all count.
One of the biggest reasons was the support structure. When you start independently, you usually need to work out branding, pricing, training, equipment, marketing, systems, and customer trust on your own. With a Jim’s Dog Wash franchise, Emily felt she was stepping into a brand and system that already had structure behind it.
She also mentioned the fee model. Emily liked that Jim’s does not take a percentage and instead uses a set fee. For a new operator, that can be important because it gives more clarity when planning the business. It also appealed to her compared with other franchise options she had considered.
The brand name was another major factor. Emily compared the Jim’s name to Bunnings, saying it was a name people already know. That gave her confidence because she had never done dog washing before. Starting any service business can feel risky, but starting with a recognised name can make the first conversation with a customer easier.
For Emily, the decision came down to confidence. She was not just buying into a name. She was looking for reassurance, support, and a practical way to begin. That is why Jim’s stood out against both other franchises and going solo.
What did you think of the training?
Emily thought the training was awesome because it was interesting, informative, and gave her practical ideas for building local awareness.
She said she did not really know what to expect before training started. That is a common feeling for new franchisees, especially when they are entering a field they have not worked in before. Emily had never done dog washing, so the training needed to give her both skill confidence and business confidence.
Her response was clear. She said the training had been “really, really interesting” and “really informative”. She also said the speakers had been amazing. That matters because good franchise training should not only explain the job. It should help a new operator understand how to think like a business owner.
One of the strongest points Emily made was that training gave her ideas. She talked about ways to build awareness in her area, encourage people to book, connect with the community, and hopefully get more jobs. Those are practical business concerns, not just grooming concerns.
That is a key difference between learning a service and starting a business. A person can learn how to wash or groom dogs, but they also need to know how to find customers, build trust, and become known locally. Emily’s answer shows that the training helped her think about both sides.
For people comparing a franchise with going independent, this is often where the decision becomes clearer. Going independent may give you freedom, but it can also leave you guessing. A structured guide to starting a Jim’s Dog Wash franchise can help new operators understand what they need to prepare before they open for bookings.
Emily also mentioned the training site itself, saying it was beautiful and “really lovely”. That may sound like a small point, but it adds to the feeling of being supported properly at the start. For someone leaving a job and preparing to run their own business, that environment can help build momentum.
Her answer was not complicated. She came in unsure what to expect. She left with knowledge, ideas, and excitement to get started.
When are you planning to get started with your new business?
Emily was planning to start around the end of March after giving notice at her current job, completing training, and waiting for her trailer to arrive.
At the time of the video, she had already taken real steps towards launching. She had given notice at her current job, where she had worked for a few years. That shows she was not just thinking about the move. She was already in the handover stage between employment and business ownership.
Her trailer was also on the way. For a mobile dog wash business, that is a major part of getting started. Once the trailer, training, and local planning are in place, the business can move from preparation to taking bookings.
Emily said her training was booked for the start of mid-March. From there, she expected the end of March to be around the time she would start. That gives a simple picture of the pathway: leave the old role, complete training, get the trailer ready, then start working in the local area.
She also mentioned where she would be operating. Emily said she would be working in Baldivis, in the southern area of Perth, Western Australia. That local detail matters because many Jim’s franchisees build their business around a territory, community, and repeat customers.
Her excitement was obvious. She said she could not wait to get her hands on the dogs, meet the little dogs and dog parents, and start grooming. That is important because this kind of business is not only about numbers. It suits people who genuinely like animals, people, and hands-on service work.
For anyone looking into how to start a dog grooming business, Emily’s answer shows a realistic early-stage timeline. She was not promising instant results. She was simply getting the right pieces in place before opening.
That is often the practical difference between an idea and a business. The idea is wanting to work with dogs. The business starts when training, equipment, local awareness, and bookings come together.
If you are comparing going solo with joining a franchise, Emily’s story gives a clear starting point. Ask what support you need, how confident you feel starting from scratch, and whether a recognised brand would help you get moving faster. To explore current franchise options, visit Jim’s Group franchise opportunities and enquire about the right fit for your area.
Build A Local Dog Wash Business With The Jim’s System
Emily’s story gives a simple look at why choosing a Jim’s Dog Wash franchise can feel different from going independent. She had never done dog washing before, but the Jim’s name, training, support structure, and set fee model gave her more confidence to get started.
For customers, the takeaway is clear. Jim’s Dog Wash gives dog owners a mobile service backed by trained local operators, a recognised national brand, and the convenience of grooming at home.
For future franchisees, the lesson is just as clear. A Jim’s Dog Wash franchise gives you the chance to run your own local business with hands-on work, community connection, practical training, and a trusted brand behind you.
📞 Call 131 546 or visit jimsdogwash.net.au to learn more about how Jim’s Dog Wash helps local operators build service-based businesses with training, systems, brand trust, and ongoing support.