MEET BRAD!
Brad Papworth is the Regional Franchisor for Jim’s Pool Care Sydney East and an active franchisee himself. Since joining in 2018, he has built his own pool care business from scratch, giving him a clear understanding of what’s required to get established and grow. With a background in education, strong technical knowledge, and a focus on continuous business development, Brad is well placed to support new franchisees as they build their skills and confidence.
New franchisees are supported through practical training, ongoing mentoring, and real-time technical guidance as they get established. Brad takes a hands-on and accessible approach, working closely with franchisees to help them build strong foundations early and continue developing as their business grows. The focus is on building a sustainable, well-structured business over time, with support available whenever it’s needed.
ABOUT BRAD PAPWORTH
Brad brings a practical, hands-on approach to the role. He continues to operate his own Jim’s Pool Care business in the Strathfield and Burwood areas, so his advice is grounded in real, day-to-day experience.
Starting from a greenfield site, he understands what it takes to build a customer base from the ground up, along with the challenges that come with it. That experience shapes how he supports his franchisees today.
With a background in education, Brad places a strong emphasis on technical knowledge and continuous learning. He works closely with his team to build their skills and confidence, helping them deliver a high standard of service and position themselves as reliable, professional operators.
At its core, Brad sees his role as mentoring franchisees to build a business that supports the lifestyle and income they’re working towards.
WHAT MAKES JIM’S POOL CARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DIVISIONS?
Jim’s Pool Care offers a mix of work that allows franchisees to build both consistency and variety into their business.
There are two main income streams:
- labour, including regular and one-off pool maintenance
- retail, such as chemicals, equipment upgrades, and installations
This combination allows franchisees to build a base of regular servicing while also generating additional income through equipment and product sales over time. The opportunity to supply and installation high value pool equipment sets pool care apart from other divisions.
Pool care is also ongoing. While demand increases during summer, pools still require maintenance year-round, which helps create a more consistent workflow compared to purely seasonal work.
The role itself is a balance of physical work and technical problem-solving. It suits people who enjoy being active, working outdoors, and solving practical issues for customers.
WHY DID HE CHOOSE JIM’S POOL CARE?
Before joining Jim’s Pool Care, Brad spent more than 20 years in education, including leadership roles and involvement in large research projects. That experience gave him a strong understanding of systems, business processes, and how to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.
The move into business came from a desire to build something of his own and create a better work-life balance. He was drawn to the hands-on nature of pool care, the opportunity to work outdoors, and the technical side of maintaining pool water quality and pool equipment.
With a background in chemistry and an interest in how systems work, pool care was a natural fit.
What stood out early was the consistency of the work. Pool maintenance requires ongoing attention and many homeowners lack the time or knowledge and prefer to outsource it. That creates steady demand and the opportunity to build long-term customer relationships.
Seeing the Jim’s system in action, and the steady growth that came from following it, reinforced that with consistent effort it’s possible to build a strong and sustainable business.
WHAT DOES A FRANCHISOR DO FOR FRANCHISEES?
As Regional Franchisor, Brad’s role centres on mentoring, training, and supporting franchisees as they build their businesses.
He still enjoys getting involved in more complex technical jobs when needed, but most of his time is spent helping franchisees develop both their technical capability and their business systems.
Support is practical and ongoing. This includes taking calls, reviewing photos from the field, and helping troubleshoot issues in real time. When required, he will attend jobs to provide hands-on assistance.
New franchisees often rely heavily on this support early on, sometimes calling multiple times a day. As their confidence and experience grow, that support naturally shifts towards improving efficiency, refining systems, and focusing on long-term growth.
Brad also runs regular meetings and training sessions, creating opportunities for franchisees to share ideas, learn from each other, and stay up to date with industry developments.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR NEW FRANCHISEES
Brad takes a hands-on approach, particularly in the early stages.
New franchisees are supported through:
- practical, on-the-job training
- ongoing technical guidance
- mentoring around systems, workflow, and customer management
From the first lead through to early jobs and equipment installations, the focus is on building confidence while reinforcing good habits.
Over time, support becomes more focused on efficiency and business growth, but remains ongoing through regular contact, group meetings, and supplier-led training.
Brad is accessible and franchisees are encouraged to reach out whenever they need support.
GROWTH OF THE SYDNEY EAST TEAM
Brad currently supports a team of 11 franchisees across the Sydney East region, growing from just three when he first started.
That growth reflects both demand in the area and the strength of the support structure in place. There is still room for new franchisees to join and build their own business within the region.
A key point of difference between Jim’s Pool Care pool technicians and others in the industry is their technical capability. Franchisees are equipped to handle more complex pool and equipment issues, allowing them to deliver a higher standard of service.
Despite each operator running their own business, there is a strong sense of collaboration. Franchisees regularly share knowledge, support each other, and work through challenges together.
SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT?
Across the region, Brad and his franchisees provide a full range of pool care services to a variety of residential, real estate and commercial customers.
This includes:
- regular pool maintenance
- one-off servicing and green pool recovery
- equipment checks and troubleshooting
- supply and installation of pumps, chlorinators, heaters, robotic cleaners, and automation systems
Each franchisee operates a fully equipped mobile setup, carrying the tools, chemicals, and common parts needed to complete most jobs on-site.
This allows for a convenient and reliable service, where customers don’t need to source products or manage issues themselves.
WHY CUSTOMERS CHOOSE JIM’S POOL CARE?
Reliability is one of the main reasons customers choose Jim’s Pool Care.
Clear service standards, including prompt response times and turning up as scheduled, are a key part of what they offer. Many customers value knowing the job will be done properly without having to follow it up … they trust the Jim’s brand.
By focusing on consistency and viewing the service from the customer’s perspective, franchisees can build trust and long-term relationships.
This creates a strong base of regular work overtime. This yields consistent, high returns.
DEMAND AND OPPORTUNITY IN SYDNEY
Brad’s region covers a broad area across Sydney’s east, from Watsons Bay through to Botany Bay, and across to the Inner West.
The local climate plays a role in driving demand. Periods of heat followed by rain can quickly affect pool conditions, increasing the need for regular servicing and occasional corrective work.
Even in winter, pools still require maintenance to keep water balanced and equipment running properly.
Many pool owners prefer to outsource this work due to time constraints or lack of technical knowledge, creating consistent, year-round demand for professional service.
There are currently opportunities in parts of the region where demand continues to exceed capacity, particularly in areas such as the Inner West and around Hurstville.
IS A JIM’S POOL CARE FRANCHISE RIGHT FOR YOU?
You don’t need prior experience in pool care to get started.
The role suits people who:
- want to build & run their own business
- are willing to learn and be mentored
- enjoy working outdoors and solving practical problems
Like any business, it takes time to build. Most franchisees start with a small number of jobs and gradually grow their customer base over the first few years.
Those who stay consistent, build a base of regular customers, and make use of the support available tend to do well.
Read our post to get more idea about Career Change 2026: Why a Jim’s Franchise Works
A FINAL WORD
Brad’s focus is on helping franchisees build capability over time through practical support, technical knowledge, and consistent business processes.
If you’re considering the opportunity, the next step is simple. Have a conversation and see if it feels like the right fit.
You’re also welcome to spend a day out on the road with Brad to see how the business operates firsthand, with no obligation.
If you want to take the next step, call 131 546 or use this Own a Franchisee page to get routed to the right team.