Finding Purpose, Passion, and Happiness in Business
People often assume that building a business empire is all about the money.
But for me, it never was.
I didn’t get into business because I dreamed of running a massive franchise.
I got into it because I needed a way to fund my academic research on the rise and fall of civilizations.
That’s all I ever really wanted—to understand how societies work and how they collapse.
I was broke, a PhD student with no financial backing, and I started mowing lawns out of desperation.
It wasn’t some master plan.
It was survival.
But that simple act turned into something I never expected.
From Mowing Lawns to Building an Empire
My original purpose for going to university was to pursue big ideas.
Business was never the dream.
I just needed money.
But as I kept mowing lawns, I got better at it.
Customers liked the work.
Eventually, I realized I could build something bigger, not just for me, but for others too.
When I started selling lawn mowing rounds, it clicked.
I could use this model to help people build their own businesses while still earning enough to fund my research.
That’s when the idea for Jim’s Group really began to form.
Putting My Franchisees First
From the very beginning, my loyalty has been to the people who join my franchise—my franchisees.
They’re like family.
I structured our contracts to give them real freedom: they can choose their own hours, pick their territories, and even leave the system if it doesn’t work for them.
I don’t want people stuck.
I want them to thrive.
That’s why I always make myself available—through meetings, direct communication, anything they need.
I take that responsibility seriously.
I don’t just see it as a business—these are real people depending on me to help them succeed.
Relentless Focus on the Customer
Of course, none of this works if the customers aren’t happy.
That’s why I obsess over customer service.
Every day, I ask myself: how can we do this better?
I read through all our low-star surveys.
I look at what went wrong and ask how we can fix it—whether it’s training, support, or software updates.
I want our systems to evolve constantly.
And it works.
Our franchises maintain an average rating of 4.65 out of 5.
That’s something I’m really proud of.
What Really Makes Me Happy
I’ve found that real happiness doesn’t come from making more money.
It comes from good relationships, from doing meaningful work, and from living with purpose.
I’ve built this business not just to make a living, but to support a mission that drives me—to fund research that could help combat mental illness and addiction.
That sense of mission, of doing something that matters, is what gets me up in the morning.
It’s what fuels me.
I love what I do.
It’s fun.
It’s challenging.
It makes life rich and rewarding.
Lessons I’ve Learned
If you chase money first, you’ll make bad decisions.
You’ll hire the wrong people.
You’ll cut corners.
You’ll be miserable.
But if you chase purpose, if you put people first—your team, your customers, your community—you’ll build something lasting.
That’s what I’ve tried to do.
I listen to everyone—it doesn’t matter if they’re experienced or brand new.
I’ve learned so much from people others might overlook.
You’ve got to stay humble and always be learning.
Final Thoughts
My story isn’t just about turning $24 into a business empire.
It’s about finding fulfillment in helping others succeed.
It’s about building something that matters.
So if you’re thinking about starting your own business, don’t just ask, “How much money can I make?”
Ask, “Who can I help? What kind of legacy do I want to leave?”
Because in the end, that’s what makes all the difference.
Visit jims.net if you want to learn more.