Before joining Jim’s Electrical, Mathew Richardson knew exactly how demanding it could be to run a business alone. After previously spending $4,000 to $6,000 a month on advertising and hours managing the business after work, he now describes joining Jim’s as his “get-out-of-jail-free card”.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why Did Mathew Richardson Want A Change From Working For A Wage?
Mathew wanted a change because he was working for a wage while mortgages and the cost of living were rising. Before joining Jim’s Electrical, he was a supervisor at a large air conditioning company working across government-funded schemes.
He already knew what business ownership involved because he had run his own business before. He also knew how demanding it could be. That experience shaped what he wanted next: a way to own and grow a business without carrying every part of the operation alone.
For Mathew, the goal was not to leave the electrical industry. He says he likes electrical work because he knows what he is doing and can confidently solve problems. The change he wanted was on the business side.
Why Does Mathew Call Joining Jim’s His “Get Out Of Jail Free Card”?
Mathew calls joining Jim’s his “get out of jail free card” because it removes a large part of the business workload he previously had to manage himself. He specifically points to advertising, marketing, and the franchise system as areas he no longer has to build or manage from scratch.
When he ran his own business, he had to think about getting work as well as doing the work. Marketing, lead generation, and other business tasks had to be handled around customer jobs.
Mathew estimates that Jim’s takes care of about 30% of what he would otherwise need to do. He sees that as time he can put back into customers, jobs, and business growth. For someone who already understands the trade, that extra capacity is a major part of the value he sees in the model.
Prospective franchisees can also explore how Jim’s Group helps franchisees.
How Much Of The Business Does Jim’s Handle For Mathew?
Mathew estimates that Jim’s handles about 30% of the work around running the business. He describes that 30% as time he simply does not have when he is also serving customers, completing jobs, and trying to grow.
That does not mean Jim’s runs his business for him. Mathew is clear that his business remains his business and he runs it how he wants. The difference is that he has systems and people around him for areas that would otherwise take time away from the trade and his customers.
That distinction matters. Mathew still makes the decisions, performs electrical work, and manages the direction of the business. The franchise support sits around that work rather than replacing his role as the owner.
What Support Does Mathew Get From Jim’s Electrical?
Mathew gets practical support from his franchisor and other experienced people in the Jim’s Electrical network. He compares that support to having a manager available when he needs a second opinion or help solving a problem.
He says he can go to Cam, his franchisor, if something goes wrong. He also mentions Miles, who he describes as a “guru of all electrical”. On one occasion, Mathew had a problem he wanted to check, called Miles, talked it through, and had it sorted in five minutes.
He also values conversations with other people in the network. Mathew refers to “five, ten blokes” discussing the struggles and ups and downs they face, including different ways to sell, talk to customers and approach different types of people.
For someone used to operating alone, that provides another set of ears and another perspective. Prospective owners can also explore Jim’s Group’s franchisee training program before deciding whether franchising suits them.
How Has Mathew’s Business Grown In Just Over 15 Months?
Mathew says his business has grown to include himself, one electrician, and office staff after just over 15 months. He has also upgraded the van and is now focused on winning contracts and continuing to grow at a manageable pace.
His description of growth is practical. He is not talking about becoming as large as possible at any cost. He says he wants to “grow to as big as I can manageably”, putting control and capacity ahead of growth for its own sake.
That approach fits the way he talks about the rest of the business. The goal is to spend more time on customers and jobs while using support where it saves him time.
Anyone considering the model can also experience a day on the road as a Jim’s franchisee to better understand what running the business involves.
How Much Was Mathew Spending On Advertising Before Jim’s Electrical?
Mathew says running his own business previously cost him $4,000 to $6,000 a month in advertising, leads, and online marketing. He also says he would spend three hours on the computer after getting home from work.
That comparison is one of the clearest examples of why he sees the franchise model differently. The cost was not only the money spent on advertising. It was also the time needed to manage the business side after a full day of work.
Mathew’s experience does not mean every electrician will have the same advertising costs or results. His numbers are his own example. What they show is the scale of the marketing workload he personally carried before joining Jim’s Electrical.
Electricians comparing independent business ownership with a franchise can also read about how to become a Jim’s franchisee and the steps involved in making an enquiry.
Has Joining Jim’s Electrical Improved Mathew’s Work-Life Balance?
Mathew says the biggest personal difference is that he now gets more time with his son instead of spending his evenings doing business administration and marketing on the computer.
Before joining Jim’s, he says he would come home from work and spend three hours on the computer. Now, he says he can get home and play with his son for two to three hours before going to bed. For Mathew, that is a “massive difference”.
Mathew did not stop working hard after joining Jim’s Electrical. He changed where his time went. Less of his evening was spent managing advertising and lead generation, while more of it could go towards family, customers, and the parts of the business he wanted to grow.
His story also shows why business support can matter differently to different owners. Mathew already had the trade skills. What he wanted was help with the parts of business ownership that took him away from the work and from home.
If you are a licensed electrician considering your own business, explore whether the Jim’s Electrical model, training, and franchisee support fit the way you want to work.