Turning My Passion into a Thriving Business
When I first started out, I had no grand ambitions to build a business empire.
I was a part-time gardener in the 1970s, trying to make ends meet while pursuing my studies.
But through an obsession with customer service and a constant drive to improve, I was able to transform a simple side hustle into a franchise network with over 5,500 franchisees across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
If you’re thinking about starting a small business—even if you don’t have much experience—I want to show you that it’s not only possible, but incredibly rewarding.
The key is mindset, strategy, and support.
Those are things I’ve learned the hard way.
Why I Obsess Over Customer Service
From the beginning, I’ve always believed that the key to business success is simple: look after your customers.
That principle guided every decision I made.
I wanted to make people so happy with the service they received that they’d become raving fans.
Even now, I remain fanatical about customer satisfaction.
I make sure our franchisees are well-trained, reliable, and empowered to go the extra mile.
When things go wrong—and they do—I want our clients to feel like we genuinely care and will do everything we can to make it right.
That’s been the foundation of everything I’ve built.
Why I Chose the Franchise Model
The reason I shifted to franchising was because I saw how many people wanted to work for themselves but didn’t know how to start.
I didn’t have much when I began—just some cheap equipment and a willingness to learn.
But I had time, being a student, and I gradually worked things out.
Franchising gave me a way to pass on what I’d learned.
Instead of people figuring things out from scratch, I could give them a proven system, training, and ongoing support.
It’s one of the reasons so many of our franchisees succeed, even if they’ve never run a business before.
If you’re looking to start something of your own, don’t rule out the franchise route.
It might give you the head start you need.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
Of course, success brings its own set of challenges.
One of the biggest issues we’ve faced recently is overwhelming demand.
Last year alone, we had to turn away over 220,000 job leads.
We just didn’t have enough people to handle them.
But I made a decision early on: we would never sacrifice quality for growth.
I’d rather lose a job than damage our reputation by rushing or cutting corners.
That decision has helped us build long-term trust with our customers, and that’s something you can’t buy.
What I Tell Aspiring Small Business Owners
If you’re serious about starting a business, here’s the best advice I can give you: do your homework.
Talk to people who are already doing what you want to do.
If it’s a franchise you’re considering, ask for the full list of franchisees and call them all.
If the company won’t give it to you, walk away.
Another thing—get real experience.
If you’ve never worked in a certain industry, consider doing some paid or unpaid work first.
You’ve got to understand the day-to-day reality before you make the leap.
I often say, if you can’t work for someone else, you probably can’t work for yourself either.
Running a business is tough, and it helps to have seen what works—and what doesn’t—up close.
What You May Be Overlooking
People often overlook the skilled trades.
Everyone wants to start a tech business or be a consultant, but there’s real money in services like tree lopping, pest control, or dog washing .
I know franchisees in our Jim’s Trees division who make around $2,000 a day, and their startup costs were under $20,000.
It’s honest work, it’s rewarding, and the demand is endless.
Don’t get caught up in the idea that success only comes in a white-collar package.
Look at what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and where there’s demand.
That’s where your business should be.
Final Thoughts
I never set out to build a multimillion-dollar company.
I just wanted to pay my bills and keep my research going.
But by putting people first—customers and franchisees—I ended up with something much bigger than I ever imagined.
If you’re looking to start your own business, I encourage you to reach out.
Visit www.jims.net or email me directly at jim@jims.net.
I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned and help others start on the right foot.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to care, learn fast, and keep asking: How can I do this better?