Mitch Blake, franchisor for Jim’s Mowing in regional New South Wales, recently shared valuable insights about pricing, networking, and supporting new franchisees that every franchise owner should hear.
After just two years as a franchisee, Mitch has stepped into the franchisor role, and his story shows the power of learning, adapting, and helping others succeed.
From Franchisee to Franchisor
Mitch’s path to leadership wasn’t straightforward.
“I wasn’t happy with being a mowing man. It wasn’t kicking goals for me,” he admitted.
At one point, he even considered selling his business and moving on.
That changed after some honest conversations with fellow franchisees.
One piece of advice stuck.
“If you tripled the prices for all those customers, would you sell? And I said, no, that’d be a great business. So I went through and raised about 15 prices. In raising the prices, one, it made me feel better going to the jobs, but two, the value of the business changes because the value of the business is on your clients.”
That simple shift not only boosted his income but also reignited his motivation.
Soon, he was mentoring others and finding fulfillment in helping new franchisees grow.
“That’s where I was getting value out of being in the Jim’s brand,” he explained.
The Role of a Franchisor
As Mitch told interviewer Joel Kleber, “The franchisor is your support. We’re a weekly contact and accountability coach for our franchisees. It’s the ultimate service role.”
He runs up to ten meetings a year, mixing face-to-face sessions with online catch-ups, where franchisees share ideas and get training.
Mitch sees himself as a mix of coach, mentor, and problem-solver.
“Whatever that is that you need, that’s what we’re here for.”
Networking Pays Off
If there’s one message Mitch wants new franchisees to hear, it’s the value of networking.
He shared the story of a new recruit who joined the group with strong enthusiasm.
After shadowing other franchisees, attending training, and even organizing a pub night to meet his peers, the new recruit quickly built a support network.
That effort paid off immediately.
“His mower hadn’t arrived yet, so another Jim’s Mowing franchisee lent him his spare HRU216. That’s just a great example of the benefit of getting out and meeting people,” Mitch said.
Networking also opened doors to big opportunities.
In his first week, Mitch handed him an $80,000 annual contract along with several residential clients.
Pricing, Leads, and Income
For anyone considering Jim’s, Mitch is upfront about the numbers.
“As a solo operator, you can make between two and a half thousand a week to seven thousand,” he said.
Profit margins usually sit between 50 and 70 percent, depending on how the business is run.
He also explained the importance of the lead fee system.
“If I get a $10 lead fee from Jim’s, I call it within two minutes. If someone messages me on Facebook, I’m guilty of not getting straight back to them. That’s why the system works.”
Franchisees pay a small fee for each lead, which drives accountability and faster response times.
Building Relationships Everywhere
Mitch’s philosophy goes beyond mowing.
He believes relationships are the foundation of success.
From thanking his local mower shop staff with beers to chatting with the lady at the green waste gate, he invests time in people.
“Everything’s relationships,” he said.
“If you’re willing to smile, talk to them, and treat them right, they’ll look after you.”
Lessons for Franchise Owners
Mitch’s journey offers clear lessons for Jim’s franchisees:
- Raise prices when needed and know your value.
- Build strong networks with fellow franchisees and local businesses.
- Respond quickly to leads and use the system to your advantage.
- Treat relationships as the cornerstone of your business.
With more than 5,500 franchisees, Jim’s Group is Australia’s largest franchise network, and Mitch’s story shows how its systems and support can help owners succeed.
As he put it, “Don’t wait. The hardest step is making the inquiry. From that moment on, you’re not alone anymore.”
For those ready to take the next step, visit jims.net to learn more about franchise opportunities.