In short: Jim’s Mowing franchisee Julian See has built a Sydney South business around roughly 70 regular lawns, 20–30 recurring gutter clients, and a schedule that lets him travel overseas every month. Nearly four years in, he says the first 6–12 months required the hardest push, while regular clients, Jim’s leads, and careful scheduling now give him more control over his time.
BLUF: In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Julian See shares that his Jim’s Mowing business in Sydney South now centres on mowing, gardening and double-storey gutter cleaning. Before Jim’s, he worked FIFO and gained 14–15 years of scaffolding experience, which now supports his use of working-at-heights training and fall-arrest systems for higher-risk gutter work.
A Jim’s Mowing franchisee can build flexibility, but Julian’s story shows the work comes first. He worked about six days a week in year one, now has around 70 regular lawns plus 20–30 recurring gutter clients, and batches work into three-to-four-week blocks before taking five-to-seven days away. This article covers how he built that client base, manages technical work and uses Jim’s systems to organise the business.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Did Julian See Leave FIFO For Jim’s Mowing?
Julian previously worked FIFO and had about 14–15 years of scaffolding experience. When he joined Jim’s Mowing, his biggest challenge was building enough regular work to make the business sustainable.
For the first six to 12 months, he accepted almost anything that came through. He sometimes travelled 30 minutes for a lawn and worked about six days a week because he wanted experience and regular customers.
Nearly four years later, he says many clients have stayed with him for two to three years. He now has around 70 lawns, plus 20–30 gutter clients who return every six months to a year, with other gutter jobs coming in as well.
That base lets him work three to four weeks at a time, then take roughly five to seven days off to travel. His YouTube channel, Globetrotter Julez, grew from a long-standing interest in travel and making money online.
How Does Julian Run His Jim’s Mowing Business Around Overseas Travel?
Julian books fortnightly mowing clients before he leaves and gives more flexible customers the choice of service before or after his trip. The biggest complication is weather: rain two or three days before departure can compress the schedule and make it harder to finish jobs.
Long-term relationships help. Julian says many customers have become people he knows well, and the clients who value the relationship tend to stay.
He also has an offsider three days a week. Longer term, he is considering hiring someone for more of the lawn work while he continues to handle gutter cleaning, scheduling and planning.
What Experience Does Julian Use For Double-Storey Gutter Cleaning?
Julian’s main services are regular lawn mowing, gardening and double-storey gutter cleaning. He says he handles much of the double-storey gutter work in Sydney South and sometimes takes leads from Sydney’s North and East.
His technical advantage comes from 14–15 years in scaffolding. Julian says working at height requires working-at-heights competency and fall-arrest systems, and he is direct about the risk: “You’ve just got to know what you’re doing up there, otherwise it’s just too dangerous.”
Fall-arrest systems are designed to limit a fall by connecting a worker to a suitable anchoring system. Julian does not describe his exact equipment setup in the episode, so this is not a DIY method. His point is that training, experience, and appropriate safety systems matter.
Rain is also a real Australian operating issue because Julian says wet weather can disrupt jobs just before travel.
Pro Tips
- Do not treat double-storey gutter cleaning as a casual ladder job.
- Use working-at-heights training and fall-arrest systems for work at height.
- Plan roof work around weather, especially when rain is forecast.
What Support Does Julian Get From The Jim’s Mowing System?
Julian points to franchisor support, incoming leads, and other franchisees. His franchisor, Paul, has helped with business and personal challenges, while the lead system lets Julian turn leads on or off and choose where he wants to work.
He says work is available “99% of the time” when he wants it, while still acknowledging slower weeks can happen. That control helps him batch work around travel and gives him a way to reduce incoming jobs while he is away.
His regional WhatsApp group adds another layer of support. Franchisees share leads, help with big jobs, and offer advice, including people Julian says have 15–20 years in the franchise.
For anyone considering owning a Jim’s franchise, it is worth reviewing how Jim’s franchising fees work, how much a Jim’s franchise can earn, and Jim’s franchisee training.
What Jim’s Mowing Services Does Julian Provide Across Sydney South?
Julian’s Sydney South business centres on mowing, gardening and double-storey gutter cleaning.
Julian has about 70 regular lawns and 20–30 gutter clients returning every six months to a year, and his specialist gutter work also brings leads from Sydney’s North and East.
Customers can see the broader service range on the Jim’s Mowing service page.
How Can Julian Travel Overseas Every Month And Still Run His Business?
Julian now aims to visit a different country every month. He had travelled to the Philippines twice, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China, and he was in Thailand during the interview.
His travel channel also gives him perspective on work. He says earlier complaints could leave him stressed for a couple of weeks, but travel changed that mindset: “I think travel is the biggest education you can ever have.”
He treats mowing as exercise and focuses on the trip waiting at the end of each three-to-four-week work block. A run of 10 lawns becomes physical work that earns money rather than a chore.
He records with a GoPro and Meta glasses, then outsources editing to someone in the Philippines. Julian says a 20–30 minute video, thumbnail and six shorts costs about $110 AUD, while doing it himself could take around 60 hours. His logic is simple: he says he can earn about $110 in an hour mowing a lawn.
He was aiming for 1,000 YouTube subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in 12 months, while discussing a possible future 8,000-hour threshold. He also has travel plans for South America, Africa, India, Pakistan and other parts of Southeast Asia.
How Does Jim’s Mowing Compare With Going Independent?
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Lead generation | Must arrange own lead sources | Julian can turn Jim’s leads on or off |
| Business support | Depends on own network | Julian works with franchisor Paul |
| Peer advice | Depends on personal contacts | Regional group includes 15–20-year franchisees |
| Higher-risk work | Safety systems depend on operator | Julian uses working-at-heights and fall-arrest systems |
| Scheduling | Must build own process | Julian batches work into three-to-four-week blocks |
Julian See, Jim’s Mowing franchisee in Sydney South: “Whatever your passion is, you can build it up to where you can have that time off.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Julian says the first six to 12 months were the main build-up period. He worked about six days a week, took a wide range of leads and sometimes travelled 30 minutes for a lawn.
He has around 70 regular lawns and 20–30 recurring gutter clients. He estimated roughly 80–90 regular jobs or customers in the mix when other gutter work is included.
Julian says he can turn leads on or off and choose where he wants to work. He uses that control to organise three-to-four-week work blocks around five-to-seven-day trips.
No. He says he has an offsider three days a week and may later hire someone to handle more lawn work.
His main services are regular lawn mowing, gardening and double-storey gutter cleaning. He also takes some gutter leads from Sydney’s North and East.
Julian names franchisor Paul, the lead system and a regional WhatsApp group. Some franchisees in that group have 15–20 years of experience.
Key Takeaways
- Julian worked about six days a week through his first year and says the first six to 12 months were the main build period.
- Nearly four years in, he has around 70 regular lawns plus 20–30 recurring gutter clients.
- He batches work into three-to-four-week blocks, then takes five to seven days away.
- His 14–15 years of scaffolding experience supports his double-storey gutter niche.
- Jim’s leads, franchisor support and peer network help him manage workload.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Need Lawn, Garden Or Gutter Help From Jim’s Mowing?
Julian’s story shows how repeat service, specialist experience and professional standards can work together. Sydney South customers can use Jim’s Mowing for local lawn, garden and gutter work backed by Jim’s National Guarantee.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Mowing today.
Could A Jim’s Franchise Fit The Life You Want To Build?
Julian built flexibility after spending six to 12 months establishing clients and working about six days a week. If that path interests you, explore the Jim’s system, training, fees, and available divisions before deciding.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.