Skagen Fielding, a 23-year-old Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchisee from Queensland, recently shared his journey from law student to successful business owner.
His story is a reminder that with hard work, smart systems, and a willingness to learn, anyone can turn opportunity into a thriving business.
From Law School to Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning: A Leap of Faith
“I was finishing up my law degree, and it was crunch time,” Skagen said.
“It was time to start applying for law jobs, and I just really didn’t want to do it.”
Unsure of what direction to take, he joined the Army Reserve for a short time before deciding he wanted something completely different, something outdoors and hands-on.
“I was looking up outdoor businesses to run, and that’s how I fell into the Jim’s funnel,” he said.
“I got chatting with Mustafa from the Cleaning Division, and it just looked like a really good opportunity.”
At just 21 years old, he took the leap.
Within weeks, Skagen was operating as the first Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchisee in the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions, and the demand was overwhelming.
“There were hundreds of unserviced leads every month,” he said.
“I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for the first month and did 30 grand in revenue.”
Learning to Work Smarter, Not Harder
After that first month, burnout set in.
“It really hit me that working that much wasn’t sustainable,” Skagen admitted.
“So I started looking at how to delegate.”
He immediately hired a bookkeeper and began implementing software to handle quotes, scheduling, and customer communication.
“We use ServiceM8 and Xero, and they talk to each other,” he said.
“It automatically messages customers, reminds them of bookings, and even helps with payroll. It freed up so much time.”
Delegation quickly became the key to growth.
“You have to give up control,” Skagen said.
“I realized early that I can’t be on the tools all day and then spend three hours at night doing admin. That’s when we started hiring people and using technology to scale.”
Today, Skagen manages a team of eight people, including staff and contractors, and his business now brings in around $90,000 a month.
Building a Motivated, High-Performing Team
Skagen has a unique approach to staffing.
“We pay on performance,” he explained.
“Each person gets a percentage of the revenue from the jobs they complete. It attracts the best people because they know if they work faster and do a great job, they’ll earn more.”
This system not only rewards efficiency but also creates a strong sense of ownership among employees.
“We’ve built a great culture,” he said.
“We trust our team completely and don’t micromanage. If something goes wrong, we give people the benefit of the doubt and look after them.”
The Power and Potential of the Jim’s Brand
Reflecting on his growth, Skagen credits much of his success to the strength of Jim’s Group, which has more than 5,500 franchisees across Australia and New Zealand.
“The Jim’s system is the most underappreciated opportunity out there,” he said.
“As a 21-year-old, I plugged into a system that handed me 200 leads in my first month. That’s unheard of anywhere else.”
He’s also quick to address one of the biggest misconceptions about Jim’s.
“People think Jim’s takes a cut of your revenue, but they don’t,” he explained.
“It’s just a flat monthly fee plus a small cost per lead. Last month, I paid $1,600, about 2% of what I made, and I’d happily pay more because the leads are so good.”
From Franchisee to Franchisor: Paying It Forward
Now, Skagen is stepping into a new role as the franchisee-turned-franchisor for Queensland.
“I’ll be supporting all the new and existing franchisees in the region,” he said.
“They’ve all taken big financial leaps, and I want to help them build successful, stress-free businesses. Everything I’ve learned, I want to pass on.”
His advice for new franchisees is simple: “Care about your customers, use systems to make your life easier, and don’t be afraid to hire help early. If you focus on service and consistency, the money will follow.”
To learn more about starting your own business with Jim’s Group, visit jims.net.
Common Questions About Jim’s Group
Q: How much can you earn as a Jim’s franchisee?
Earnings vary, but franchisees like Skagen regularly make between $10,000 and $15,000 a month, with top performers earning much more depending on effort and scale.
Q: What kind of lifestyle does a Jim’s franchise offer?
It’s flexible. Some owners choose to scale like Skagen, while others prefer to work solo and earn a steady income while enjoying more personal freedom.
Listen to the Podcast Now:
- Watch Skagen Fielding’s interview from the Jim’s Podcast on YouTube.
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