Nearly nine years into running his Jim’s Mowing franchise, Glenn Simester has built a full book of regular customers, secured commercial work, and learned what it takes to run the business on his own. He answers the practical questions prospective franchisees often want to know, from fees and income to workload, support, and finding customers.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
What Has Changed Since Glenn’s First Jim’s Mowing Interview?
Glenn’s original video was filmed when he had been doing the job for less than six months, and he says much of what he shared then is still relevant today.
He now has more than eight and a half years of experience to compare with those early impressions, with nine years approaching in May.
What Is a Jim’s Mowing Business Like After 9 Years?
The business is probably in the best position it has been business-wise, although Glenn says self-employment still comes with pros, cons and plenty of moving parts.
When he started, he had two young children in primary school and built his schedule around school drop-offs and pick-ups. His children will be in year eight and year 10 this year, and his books are now completely full.
That gives him more choice over which customers and jobs stay in his schedule.
How Many Regular Customers Can a Jim’s Mowing Franchisee Have?
Glenn says he has regular customers “in the 60s”, with about 85% of them serviced fortnightly and a couple serviced weekly.
The number of regulars does not tell the whole story. His work includes supermarkets, shopping centres, big chains and other commercial clients. Some jobs take three or four hours, so larger jobs can fill his schedule without needing 140 regular customers.
Why Do Customers Choose Jim’s Mowing?
Glenn believes people choose Jim’s Mowing because of the logo, the brand, and the familiarity that comes with an established name.
He also values the lead system behind the brand. If he loses a customer, he can put himself down for work rather than relying entirely on his own advertising or Facebook marketing. For Glenn, the system gives him another way to keep his books full.
Customers can learn more about the services available through Jim’s Mowing.
Can Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Take On Commercial Work?
Glenn has commercial clients including a shopping centre, property management work, factories and other larger sites.
One shopping-centre job came from a lead that had gone missing when nobody was down for work. The site was in his street in Somerville. What first appeared to be a regular mowing job became ongoing mowing and gardening work two out of every three weeks.
He has kept that client for a good two and a half, if not three years.
Can You Run a Jim’s Mowing Franchise Without Employees?
Glenn chose to stay a sole trader because he is cautious about taking on staff before he is confident there is enough work for both himself and an employee.
He has considered employing someone and says next year could be the year, but he wants enough work for both himself and an employee.
Quality also matters. Glenn says he is rated 4.9 stars and prefers knowing the job has been completed to his own standard rather than spending time on catch-up and follow-up work.
What Has Glenn Learned After Nearly 9 Years in Business?
Glenn’s main advice is simple: “You’re always learning.”
He still gets quotes wrong and still learns new techniques. He also builds the business around his strengths. Because numbers are not his strong point, he uses a bookkeeper so he can focus on the work.
He plans geographically too. He starts as far away from home as practical and works his way back, keeping the day streamlined. His reasoning is straightforward: if he is not pushing a mower, he is not earning a dollar.
What Are the Best Parts of Running a Mowing Business?
Glenn enjoys being outside, working with people, and making a visible difference for customers.
Weather can make the work difficult. He describes the recent winter as probably the toughest they have had, followed by a tough spring and then slower conditions with no rain. Even so, the work gives him instant gratification because he can see the result when a property is finished.
How Can a Jim’s Mowing Franchisee Make a Difference for Customers?
One customer in Frankston stands out because restoring the backyard meant much more than simply cutting long grass.
The gentleman and his wife were both unwell, and the backyard he had always taken pride in had gotten away from him. Glenn quoted the job fairly rather than charging $400 for work he did not believe was worth that amount.
The customer was close to tears when he saw the finished backyard. Glenn also picked up two jobs from the work, but the part he remembers is helping return the property to the condition the customer wanted.
What Do People Get Wrong About Jim’s Mowing Franchise Fees?
One common misconception is that a Jim’s Mowing franchisee has to hand over a huge share of every dollar earned. Glenn says that on a good day, he can make Jim’s monthly franchise fees on the first Monday of each month, and the rest of the month is his to run his business.
He contrasts that with franchise models where operators may pay a dividend or percentage. His explanation is that whether he earns $20,000 or $200,000, “he’s taking his $100 fee”. This is Glenn’s description of his own fee arrangement and experience.
Another misconception is that Jim’s franchisees take work from each other. Glenn sees it differently. If another franchisee takes a job, it is because he was not available to do it, just as he may accept work when another operator is unavailable.
Prospective owners can review the current structure and joining process on the Jim’s Mowing franchise page before making any financial decision.
What Support Do Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Receive?
Glenn says the support has been good and that he “cannot fault it whatsoever”.
Across nearly nine years, he says he has had four franchisors. Jeff supported him strongly when he started, and Dan has now taken over.
Glenn also uses the wider franchisee network. If he is stuck on something, he can ask another Jim’s franchisee for help without always needing to go directly to the franchisor.
Prospective franchisees can also explore how Jim’s Group supports franchisees.
Can a Jim’s Mowing Franchise Provide a Good Income?
Glenn says the income meets his expectations “100%”, and he now feels comfortable with how the business is performing.
He uses a profit-first style of accounting. Money is divided across different purposes so he knows where he stands before paying bills and has a portion available if something unexpected happens.
His comments reflect his own business and results, rather than a guarantee of what another franchisee will earn.
What Equipment Does a Jim’s Mowing Franchisee Need?
Glenn has gradually built up his equipment rather than replacing everything constantly.
He started with a Honda and a Shandara Multi. He now runs two Husqvarna tools, two Honda mowers, and two Hustler ride-ons. He bought the second ride-on after his first one failed and left him without it for three weeks, forcing him to hire someone else’s machine.
Having backups means he is less exposed when equipment fails.
Is Joining Jim’s Mowing a Good Idea?
Glenn’s advice is positive but grounded in his own experience: “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
He says the work suits people who enjoy being outdoors, making a difference, and having control over their schedule. He recently took a Friday, Monday and Tuesday off and only needed to rearrange the customers affected rather than submit leave forms.
The trade-off is that the work still needs to be handled when he is sick or unavailable.
Anyone researching the model can also see what a day on the road as a Jim’s franchisee looks like before deciding whether the lifestyle suits them.
Does Glenn Regret Buying a Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Glenn says his regret would be not getting into it earlier.
His father described the decision as “basically buying yourself a career”, and Glenn agreed. He says he is glad he chose this path rather than trying to start his own business from scratch.
For anyone considering it, his advice is to look at the fit carefully. Not everyone will enjoy the model, but for someone who wants to control their own work and accepts the responsibility that comes with it, Glenn says to “give it a crack”.
If you are considering a Jim’s Mowing franchise, review the current franchise information, speak with the team, ask detailed questions about fees and your area, and see the business firsthand before deciding whether it is right for you.