At just 22 years old, Sylvia Penman isn’t waiting to be handed a business—she’s building one from the ground up.
As the daughter of Jim Penman, founder of Australia’s largest franchise network, Sylvia has had a front-row seat to the business world her entire life.
But she’s not coasting on a name.
She’s using real-world removals experience, customer insight, and people-first leadership to launch Jim’s Removals, a division that’s setting a new standard in the industry.
From the Ground Floor: Sylvia Penman’s First Lessons in Removals
Before starting Jim’s Removals, Sylvia spent over two years working hands-on at a local removals company.
She wasn’t behind a desk—she was in the vans, on-site, learning how things work and where they go wrong.
“I worked at a removal company for more than two years… it’s the majority of my adult life.”
That frontline experience shaped her perspective.
She saw hardworking staff being underpaid.
She saw customers confused by unclear quotes or rushed service.
“You expect staff to work 12-hour shifts… pay them minimum wage… and still want 110%. I just thought we could do better.”
That’s when she knew: the removals industry didn’t just need another service provider—it needed a reset.
Sylvia Penman on Seeing the Gap—and Stepping In at Jim’s Removals
Sylvia spotted a clear gap in the market: removals services that genuinely cared about customers and the people doing the heavy lifting.
“There was a gap in the industry… I was like, ‘I think we can do it better.’”
Her goal wasn’t just to move furniture.
It was to deliver a respectful, transparent, and stress-free experience from start to finish.
Sylvia Penman: Starting Jim’s Removals with Purpose
Sylvia launched Jim’s Removals not as a franchised division, but as a single-company operation, on purpose.
She wanted full control to fine-tune every detail before scaling.
“To deliver the best service possible, we wanted tight regulations and to oversee every job directly.”
She partnered with Danny Ganino, and together they began with one truck and a mission to get it right before going big.
Growing Up as Jim’s Daughter: What Sylvia Penman Learned from Both Parents
Sylvia’s upbringing gave her a rare blend of big-picture vision and operational discipline.
“Dad’s really big picture… Mum is very detail-oriented. I’ve learned from both.”
Yes, she had access to opportunity.
But she’s also honest about it.
“I recognize the huge amount of privilege that comes with a position like this… but what are you going to do? Say no to everything in life?”
She chose to say yes and put in the work to back it up.
Leading with Empathy: Sylvia Penman’s Experience in Jim’s Removals
The removals industry has long been seen as a man’s world.
But Sylvia is flipping that.
She finds that many of her customers—often women—feel more comfortable talking to another woman about such a personal and stressful service.
“Probably 70–80% of my customers are women… People underestimate how much of the removals and home organizing is actually handled by women.”
That connection has turned into a business advantage.
Despite early nerves, Sylvia says the removals community has been nothing but supportive.
“Everyone’s been so nice. Maybe it’s because I’m a girl—they don’t want to argue with me!”
Designing a Better Customer Experience at Jim’s Removals
Sylvia isn’t just running operations—she’s designing every customer touchpoint.
From quoting to follow-ups, she ensures every step feels clear, calm, and professional.
As the creative force, Sylvia designs the customer experience, ensuring every move feels seamless and stress-free.
She also prioritizes staff care, making sure movers are paid fairly and treated with respect, because happy teams make happy clients.
What Sylvia Penman Has Learned as a Young Entrepreneur at Jim’s Removals
Sylvia juggles her business with finishing a double degree in Philosophy and Chinese, and she believes being young is an asset, not a weakness.
“Even if you lose it all, you’ve bought a learning experience. That’s worth it.”
She encourages other young people to take the leap, even if it feels risky.
“If you’ve got the savings, why not? It’s like spending it on a holiday—except this teaches you something.”
Using the Jim’s Brand to Support Growth
While Sylvia is carving her own path, she knows the value of the Jim’s Group engine.
“The likelihood you’ll succeed past your first year is so high compared to going solo.”
Jim’s Removals benefits from:
- A nationally trusted brand
- Marketing systems and admin support
- A network of experienced leaders
- Built-in lead generation and customer confidence
“You’ve got people to support you. It’s not just a gamble.”
Sylvia Penman’s Vision for the Future
Sylvia Penman is leading with heart, hustle, and humility.
She’s not just filling a gap in the removals industry—she’s building a culture of care.
Care for customers.
Care for staff.
Care for the brand her family built.
“Money is never the reason… Be a good person, bring good into the world, and always focus on your employees first.”
Jim’s Removals isn’t just a business—it’s a movement led by someone who’s proving you can lead differently and still win.
Want to Follow Sylvia Penman’s Journey?
📞 Call 131 546 or visit jims.net to request more information.
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