Thinking of starting your own lawn care and gardening business?
Look no further than Jim’s Mowing, Australia’s largest and most trusted franchise network.
In this in-depth podcast interview with Joel Kleber, we’ll dive into the insights and experiences of Chris Hansen, a long-time Jim’s Mowing franchise leader, to uncover the true potential of this thriving business opportunity.
A Family Legacy: Chris Hansen’s Journey with Jim’s Mowing
Chris Hansen’s connection to Jim’s Mowing runs deep, with his family’s history intertwined with the brand’s growth and success.
As he explains, “My dad used to actually work for Jim way, way, way back when before he bought the region here in New South Wales. He worked for Jim, I think, for two years as basically his ops manager or whatever you call it for just the mowing.“
Chris’s own journey with Jim’s Mowing began over 25 years ago when he joined the franchise as a franchisee.
After about three and a half years, he transitioned into the corporate office, where he has been supporting the Sydney region for the past 20 years.
This unique perspective, spanning both the franchisee and corporate roles, gives Chris a deep understanding of the inner workings of the Jim’s Mowing system.
The Support Jim’s Mowing Offers Its Franchisees | Interview with Joel Kleber
One of the key advantages of a Jim’s Mowing franchise is the comprehensive support system provided to franchisees.
As Chris explains, the Sydney office is designed to be a “professional outfit” where franchisees can access a range of resources and guidance to help them thrive.
At the heart of this support system is the in-field support manager, who visits new franchisees every two weeks to address any challenges they may be facing.
This includes providing advice on quoting, tackling specific tasks, and generally adding value to the franchisee’s business.
Chris emphasizes the importance of this hands-on support, stating, “It’s a way of being able to say, ‘Okay, well, these are some of the things that you need to improve. Try and tackle it this way,’ and give them better ways of being able to approach that particular job in the future.“
Beyond the in-field support, the Jim’s Mowing franchise system also offers comprehensive training and resources to help new franchisees get up and running.
This includes a detailed brochure that outlines the steps to joining the franchise, as well as a video walkthrough to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
What Makes Someone a Great Fit for a Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
When it comes to identifying the ideal Jim’s Mowing franchisee, Chris emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and a willingness to listen and learn.
He explains, “I think it just comes down to a good attitude. Someone who comes in with a really good attitude and isn’t someone who waits for things to happen. They make things happen. I think they’re the ones that show the best attributes in Jim’s.“
Chris has observed that franchisees with diverse backgrounds, including those with English as a second language, can thrive in the Jim’s Mowing system.
The key, he says, is a willingness to listen to the advice and guidance provided by the experienced team.
Conversely, those who are unwilling to adapt and make necessary changes often struggle to succeed.
Proactivity is another essential trait for Jim’s Mowing franchisees.
Chris emphasizes the importance of following up on past leads, seeking feedback, and constantly looking for ways to improve their business.
He explains, “They’ll typically follow up on past leads. You know, three weeks, four weeks after they’ve been to that job, if they’ve won it, they’re on the phone again to that particular client. If they didn’t, they’d be seeking feedback as to why they didn’t win it.“
Adjusting to the Physical Demands of Jim’s Mowing
One of the common concerns for those considering a Jim’s Mowing franchise is the physical demands of the job.
Chris acknowledges that the work can be physically challenging, especially for those coming from office-based backgrounds.
However, he emphasizes that the benefits of the job often outweigh the initial adjustment period.
According to Chris, it typically takes new franchisees around two to two and a half months to fully adjust to the physical demands of the job.
He explains, “When I did it, I was 24, so I was a lot healthier and fitter than I am now. So that was certainly a lot easier for me to be able to do than. But it’s, you’ve still got a fair bit of time to go to get your body match-fit to be able to get through good volumes if you really want to make a good income.“
The physical nature of the work, however, often leads to unexpected health benefits.
Chris notes that it’s common for Jim’s Mowing franchisees to lose weight, simply due to the high level of activity involved in their daily tasks.
He says, “I’ve never encountered a person who’s joined Jim’s and has been successful who hasn’t lost weight.”
“When I say everyone has lost weight when they start in the Jim’s business, just from the fact that once you get yourself into the business, you’re doing anywhere between 8 and 10 mowing regular lawns for the average guy.”
“They just can’t not lose weight. It’s physically impossible when you’re moving that much.“
How Jim’s Mowing Can Improve Your Work-Life Balance
One of the significant advantages of a Jim’s Mowing franchise is the potential for a better work-life balance.
Chris has observed that many franchisees experience a renewed engagement with their personal lives, including stronger relationships with their partners and more quality time with their children.
As Chris explains, “A lot of them have found that they’re just more engaged with their personal lives. They’ve either re-engaged with their partner, or they’re spending more time and better time with their kids. So, I suppose those two areas really sort of, for a lot of people who haven’t had that, it really casts a light on where they were probably putting work ahead of the family. And this way, they get to have the luxury of both.“
Earnings Potential and the Pay for Work Guarantee in Jim’s Mowing
When it comes to income expectations, Jim’s Mowing offers a unique Pay for Work Guarantee, which Chris believes can provide a solid foundation for new franchisees.
He explains, “We’ve got a paid for work guarantee, which for us at the moment is $2,500 per week. We believe that the franchise owner should be able to achieve that without too many issues in their first, you know, at least sort of be getting to that consistent number within the first month to two months.“
This guarantee, combined with the typical lead volume of 30 to 40 leads in the first few months, can help new franchisees build a strong customer base and achieve financial stability.
Chris notes that by the end of the third month, most new franchisees should have 30 to 45 regular clients, providing a solid foundation for growth.
Understanding Splits in Jim’s Mowing and How They Boost Profit
One of the unique features of the Jim’s Mowing franchise system is the concept of “splits,” which allows franchisees to optimize their service area and offset their franchise fees.
As Chris explains, “Typically, when guys start up, they take a reasonably sized area, and as time progresses, they pick up referrals and stuff closer to home. They’ll be looking at certain areas, and they may have 20, 30 clients in that particular area, and it could be three or four suburbs, 10 suburbs, something like that. It’s just hard to get to.“
In these cases, franchisees can choose to “sell off” the clients that are further away, realigning their service area to be more efficient and closer to home.
The revenue from these “splits” can then be used to offset the franchise fees for a period of time, typically a year or more, depending on the value of the split.
This flexibility allows franchisees to maintain a manageable workload, reduce travel time, and maximize their profitability, all while benefiting from the Jim’s Mowing brand and support system.
Growing Your Jim’s Mowing Business by Hiring Staff
For those looking to grow their Jim’s Mowing franchise, the system offers ample opportunities to scale the business through staffing.
Chris emphasizes that there are no limits on growth, stating, “The best part about the business is you can grow it as big as you like. The leads are always there, so if you want to continue to take work from Jim’s, you certainly can.“
As franchisees reach a point where they can no longer handle the workload themselves, they can choose to add staff, equipment, or a combination of both to expand their operations.
Chris notes that the largest Jim’s Mowing franchise in his region, run by a franchisee named Osman, operates with four or five vehicles, demonstrating the potential for significant growth.
Importantly, there are no penalties or additional fees associated with adding staff or expanding the business, making it a flexible and scalable opportunity for ambitious franchisees.
Choosing Between Petrol and Battery-Powered Gear for Lawn Care
The ongoing debate between petrol and battery-powered equipment is an important consideration for Jim’s Mowing franchisees.
Chris shares his perspective on the matter, stating, “I like the gear for all your handheld stuff. I really believe that’s the much smarter way for guys to go. I still am a bit 50/50 on the mowers. The mowers, I always love the Honda. I think the Honda is a fantastic machine, never goes too far wrong. So, I would always encourage guys to stay in that space.“
However, Chris acknowledges that some councils are becoming more “precious” when it comes to the use of petrol-powered equipment, particularly around waterways.
As a result, some franchisees are transitioning to battery-powered mowers to comply with these environmental regulations.
While the battery-powered equipment has made significant improvements in recent years, Chris believes they are still not quite at the same level as the reliable petrol-powered options, especially when it comes to tackling longer grass.
Nonetheless, he recognizes the importance of adapting to the changing landscape and encourages franchisees to carefully evaluate their equipment needs based on the specific requirements of their service area.
Why Customers Trust Jim’s Mowing Over Independent Operators
One of the key advantages of a Jim’s Mowing franchise is the brand’s reputation and the trust it instills in customers.
As Chris explains, “They’ve certainly got the luxury of having an insured person, someone who’s police-checked. I think they’re the two big things, especially for a lot of the clients that we deal with, which is elderly and at-risk people with some of the insurance-type work that we do.“
Additionally, the Jim’s Mowing franchise system offers a standardized level of service, a complaints process, and a reputation that gives customers the confidence that any issues will be addressed.
Chris notes that customers who have had negative experiences with independent contractors often turn to Jim’s Mowing, recognizing the value of the brand’s accountability and professionalism.
This customer preference for the Jim’s Mowing brand can be a significant advantage for franchisees, as they can leverage the brand’s reputation to win new business and retain loyal clients.
Franchise or Solo: Which Path Is Better for a Lawn Care Business?
When considering starting a lawn care and gardening business, many people may be tempted by the idea of going the independent route.
However, Chris cautions that the Jim’s Mowing franchise system offers significant advantages that are often overlooked.
One of the key differences, as Chris explains, is the level of support and resources available to Jim’s Mowing franchisees.
He notes that independent operators often struggle with issues like insurance, regular checks, and maintaining a professional image, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction and lost business.
In contrast, Jim’s Mowing franchisees benefit from the brand’s reputation, a comprehensive support system, and the ability to leverage the franchise’s resources and expertise.
Chris has observed that customers who have had negative experiences with independent contractors often return to Jim’s Mowing, recognizing the value of the brand’s accountability and professionalism.
For those considering the independent route, Chris advises carefully weighing the pros and cons, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and the ability to adapt to the demands of running a successful lawn care and gardening business.
Chris Hansen’s Advice for Future Jim’s Mowing Franchisees
For those interested in exploring the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, Chris offers the following advice:
- Approach the business with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn from the experienced team.
- Attend an observation day to get a firsthand look at the franchise in action and see if it’s the right fit for you.
- Leverage the comprehensive training and support resources available to new franchisees, including the detailed brochure and video walkthrough.
- Consider your long-term goals and whether the Jim’s Mowing franchise aligns with your vision for a successful, sustainable business.
- Explore the financing options available to help you get started, as the franchise system offers various support in this area.
As Chris reflects on his own journey with Jim’s Mowing, he emphasizes the deep satisfaction he derives from helping franchisees transform their lives and achieve their business goals.
“Ultimately, you get to change lives and make an impact on people,” he says.
“That’s music to my ear if I could guarantee everyone’s success 100% of the time. I’d be a very, very happy man.” To learn more about the Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity, visit the website or call 131 546.