Navigating the Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Lawn Care Business
In the bustling world of lawn care and gardening, there’s a new face making waves in the industry.
Meet Matthew Prosser, a recent addition to the Jim’s Mowing franchise family, who is already making a name for himself in the Queensland market.
In this in-depth interview with Joel Kleber, we delve into Matthew’s journey, the obstacles he’s faced, and the strategies he’s employed to build a thriving lawn care business from the ground up.
Why Matthew Left Law to Start a Jim’s Mowing Business | An Interview with Joel Kleber
Matthew’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight line.
After obtaining a law degree, he found himself dissatisfied with the legal industry’s approach to client relationships.
“I didn’t like the way they were dealing with people, so that didn’t work out,” he explains.
Seeking a more fulfilling career, Matthew’s eyes were drawn to the world of lawn care and gardening.
It was a chance conversation with Dan Cahill, the Jim’s Mowing franchise development manager, that ignited Matthew’s interest in the franchise.
“I’ve actually been talking to Dan Cahill for every two years, really about it,” he reveals.
“I just didn’t have the money to do it, so now I got a payout through the military and left my old job and rang Dan.“
The decision to make the leap into entrepreneurship wasn’t an easy one, but Matthew was drawn to the Jim’s Mowing franchise model.
“I looked at a number of franchise systems and I kept coming back to Jim’s,” he says.
“I just spoke to Dan, and I wasn’t really scared about it. I knew the system would work; it was more whether or not I could work with the system that was the biggest issue.“
What Challenges New Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Face in Their First Months
Starting a new business venture can be challenging, and Matthew was no stranger to the challenges that come with it.
One of the biggest hurdles he faced was managing the influx of customer inquiries and expectations.
“The most difficult thing is balancing the people’s expectations,” Matthew admits.
“You’ve got people ringing you up and demanding it be done today, and it’s like, it doesn’t work that way. I think they think you’re free all the time, just sitting around waiting for the phone.“
Matthew recounts a particularly memorable incident where a customer called him on Christmas Eve, demanding immediate service.
“I had a guy ring me at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve, ‘Come, come over now and do my lawn,’” he says.
“I said, ‘Okay, it’ll be $500 for me to come out and mow your lawn,’ and he said, ‘No, no, that’s too much.’ I said, ‘Well, you need to wait then.’“
Despite the challenges, Matthew has found creative ways to manage customer expectations and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“I’ve even had a week off in that time, so just to be able to do that at short notice, take the kids away,” he shares.
“I was still taking leads when I was on holidays from people, but I think just the freedom to be able to finish, you know, 4:00 in the afternoon or start late if I want to.“
How to Manage Client Expectations in a Busy Lawn Care Business
One of the keys to Matthew’s success has been his ability to effectively manage his time and resources.
He’s found that a simple, old-fashioned approach works best for him.
“I have my book with me, record, and I have it down one page says quotes, all the quotes I need to do,” he explains.
“And the other page is the list of jobs. I’ve just been telling people that, you know, if you want it done, it’ll be two weeks or three weeks. A lot of people leave it to the last minute and they want it done.“
This strategy has helped Matthew avoid the pitfalls of disorganization and ensure that he can meet the needs of his growing client base.
“I had one today, a guy rang me and said he’s just got a notice from the Council that they have to mow, and I said, ‘Well, you don’t just get them, you know, I’ve had the notice for a while because you’ve had it for 30 days,’” he recounts.
“And I said, ‘Well, when’s a good time?’ and he goes, ‘Tomorrow.’ I said, ‘Well, that’s not going to happen, mate. You know, like, I’m not going to put other people out that are booked.’“
Matthew’s commitment to managing his time and setting realistic expectations has paid off, as he’s already built a solid client base in just seven weeks.
“I’m up to 46 regulars now, 47,” he proudly shares.
How Physically Demanding Is Jim’s Mowing—And Is It Worth the Effort?
Running a lawn care business is no easy feat, especially in the sweltering heat of Queensland.
Matthew has had to adapt to the physical demands of the job, but he’s found a sense of satisfaction in the work.
“The last couple of days have been really, really hard,” he admits.
“I was told that summer would be a bit of a wakeup call, and it has been. You know, it’s 32 degrees and 70 or 80% humidity. It’s tough, but when you finish and you look back on it and you see, you know, the long grass at the start and then at the end, it’s looking all right, looking good. You see that satisfaction.“
Matthew’s commitment to providing quality service has led him to invest in the right equipment to tackle the challenging conditions.
“I went out and bought a lot of battery-operated stuff, but I haven’t even used any of it,” he says.
“The grass is so high, you need more grunt, and it kind of drains it.“
Despite the physical demands, Matthew finds joy in the transformation he can bring to a property.
“The best thing is the job satisfaction,” he says.
“You get it multiple times a day, whereas us who work in the office, we don’t know. We might not see anything for three months or six months, or we don’t know why we’re working on it. Where you guys can go and actually transform a property from being getting a council notice to actually looking sharp, and you get that multiple times a day.“
How Tiered Pricing Helped Matthew Turn Leads Into Loyal Clients
One of the keys to Matthew’s success has been his ability to effectively convert potential customers into regular clients.
He’s developed a unique strategy that sets him apart from the competition.
“When I do my quotes, I’ll give them two quotes,” he explains.
“I’ll give them one if they want to become a regular, this is how much it is. If you want it once off, well, it’s going to be a lot, you know, twice as much.“
This approach has proven to be highly effective for Matthew.
“Pretty much most of them jump for the regular,” he says.
“If I find out, you know, if you notice it’s not going regular, well, then I’ll go back to the other price.“
Matthew’s willingness to be upfront about his pricing and the benefits of becoming a regular client has helped him build a loyal customer base.
“I had one guy complain a little bit about it, and I said, ‘Well, you can pay the higher price, you know, like, top to you. That’s the price you want it done, that’s how much it’s going to be.’“
This strategy is a testament to Matthew’s business acumen and his ability to navigate the challenges of the lawn care industry.
By offering transparent pricing and incentivizing regular service, he’s been able to convert more leads into long-term clients, ensuring the sustainability of his business.
The Importance of Franchisee Support
Starting a new business can be a challenging task, but Matthew has found invaluable support in the Jim’s Mowing franchise network.
From his initial training to the ongoing guidance provided by his local support manager, he’s been able to navigate the complexities of the industry with confidence.
“The training was pretty good,” Matthew says.
“It went really quick. I would have probably liked a little bit more hands-on training with the equipment and actually using it, but overall, it’s pretty good.“
The real game-changer, however, has been the support he’s received from his local Jim’s Mowing representative, Kingy.
“He’s been pretty good,” Matthew says.
“I speak to him daily. He was the one that helped me to buy a special trailer, which has been good.“
This level of support has been crucial for Matthew as he’s built his business from the ground up.
“Dan has been pretty good,” he adds.
“I don’t have a lot of contact with him, but we have a support manager in your area, and he’s been doing it for a couple of years now, so he’s been great.“
The Jim’s Mowing franchise model has provided Matthew with the resources and guidance he needs to succeed, allowing him to focus on delivering exceptional service to his clients.
Advice for Aspiring Lawn Care Entrepreneurs
For those considering a career in the lawn care industry, Matthew has some valuable advice to share.
“I would say jump at it, do it,” he encourages.
“You won’t regret it. Probably do it in winter, not in summer, that’s not a bad idea.“
He also emphasizes the importance of managing customer expectations and not being afraid to say no.
“The most difficult thing is balancing the people’s expectations,” he says.
“You’ve got people ringing you up and demanding it be done today, and it’s like, it doesn’t work that way.“
Matthew’s experience has taught him the value of effective time management and the use of traditional tools like a physical notebook.
“I have my book with me, record, and I have it down one page says quotes, all the quotes I need to do,” he explains.
“And the other page is the list of jobs. I’ve just been telling people that, you know, if you want it done, it’ll be two weeks or three weeks.“
Finally, Matthew emphasizes the importance of embracing the physical demands of the job and finding satisfaction in the transformation of a property.
“The best thing is the job satisfaction,” he says.
“You get it multiple times a day, whereas us who work in the office don’t know. We might not see anything for three months or six months, or we don’t know why we’re working on it. Where you guys can go and actually transform a property from getting a council notice to actually looking sharp, and you get that multiple times a day.“
Matthew Prosser’s journey as a new Jim’s Mowing franchisee is a testament to the power of determination, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the challenges of entrepreneurship.
From navigating the complexities of customer expectations to mastering the art of time management, Matthew has proven that with the right mindset and the support of a strong franchise network, success in the lawn care industry is within reach.
As Matthew continues to grow his business and explore new opportunities, such as expanding into the Jim’s Cleaning franchise, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring lawn care entrepreneurs.
By sharing his experiences, insights, and strategies, Matthew has provided a roadmap for others to follow in his footsteps and find their own path to success in the dynamic world of lawn care and gardening.
To learn more about Matthew’s journey and the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, be sure to visit the Jim’s Mowing website or call 131 546 in Australia or 8454 6654 in New Zealand.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Jim’s Mowing YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest news and insights from the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Prosser’s journey from the legal industry to becoming a Jim’s Mowing franchisee in Queensland
- The challenges of managing customer expectations and balancing work-life balance
- Effective time management strategies, including the use of a physical notebook
- Mastering the art of conversion by offering tiered pricing for regular and one-off clients
- The importance of franchisee support and the role of the local support manager
- Advice for aspiring lawn care entrepreneurs, including the value of embracing the physical demands of the job
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