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What Was Mark Doing Before Joining Jim’s Mowing?

Before Jim’s, Mark Connick worked as a builder for more than 10 years. He ran both residential and commercial jobs and had several people working for him.

That experience gave him trade knowledge, but it also created pressure. He says he reached the point where he felt he was working for the employees instead of himself.

Cash flow was another issue. In construction, he says the principal often gets paid last, which could mean waiting up to 60 days.

Why Did Mark Choose A Jim’s Mowing Franchise In Perth?

The move was not originally about mowing. Mark moved from Swan Hill to Perth with plans to go to the mines.

Then a friend in Jim’s Mowing needed a driver after losing his licence. Mark stepped in, worked with him for six months, and saw the model up close.

That matters. He did not buy blindly.

By the time he bought the business, he already knew the clients, understood the work, and had seen the rhythm of the business. For anyone researching owning a Jim’s franchise, that part of the story stands out. He did not jump on a vague promise. He worked inside the model first.

What Happened In Mark’s First Six Months With Jim’s Mowing?

The first clear advantage was familiarity. Those six months acted like an apprenticeship.

He learned what clients wanted. He learned the job mix. He learned how the business actually ran from day to day.

That reduced risk. Instead of starting from zero, he took over a book of clients he already knew.

It also gave him a smoother transition than many first-time operators get. Mark’s early momentum came from training, observation, and continuity.

How Much Can You Earn With A Jim’s Mowing Franchise?

In Mark Connick’s case, the answer is clear. Over the last three years, he says his income has sat at roughly $110,000 to $120,000 a year, plus cash work.

That is from a solo business. He does not run a team of full-time employees.

He likes that model because it keeps overhead and stress down while protecting his own profit. That lines up with why many people read pages like how much you can earn with a Jim’s franchise and how Jim’s franchising fees work. They want to know whether the numbers can work without building a large crew.

Mark’s example suggests they can, but only if the operator builds a broader service offer than basic mowing alone.

How Did Mark Grow To 100-Plus Clients In Perth?

He did not build the business on mowing only. He built it on utility.

Mark says he has more than 100 clients and also works with the Salvation Army and four or five real estate firms. That creates a healthier mix of repeat residential work and dependable contract work.

He also points to loyalty. If he does a good job, people call back.

That repeat behaviour matters more than hype. Some clients only book him two or three times a year, but they keep returning. He also describes the classic local growth pattern: you do one job in a street, someone across the road asks for a quote, and before long, you have two or three jobs nearby.

In Perth, that kind of cluster growth is efficient. Less travel. More density. Better use of time.

What Systems, Equipment, And Service Mix Made The Biggest Difference?

Mark’s story is a good reminder that the strongest part of a Jim’s Mowing franchise is often not the mowing.

He uses Honda and Shindaiwa gear and says he believes in paying for quality. In WA, he also uses a roller mower, which he says has lasted more than 10 years.

But the bigger business point is the service mix.

Why Retic Work Matters So Much In Perth

Mark is blunt about this. He says you cannot make it if you only do mowing.

In Perth, that makes sense. The local conditions help explain why. Sandy soil, irrigation needs, and very hot summers create demand for retic work, clean-ups, pruning, spraying, lawn installs, and small landscaping jobs.

That matters because mowing is not equally productive all year. On very hot days, mowing lawns is harder and less attractive. Retic work keeps revenue moving.

It also makes him more useful to real estate firms. If an agent needs irrigation fixed, a clean-up done, hedges cut, and a property prepared fast, one operator who can handle multiple tasks becomes more valuable than someone who only cuts grass.

Why Insurance, Presentation, And Brand Standards Help Win Better Work

Mark also highlights something many independents overlook: paperwork and credibility.

He says real estate firms respond strongly when he sends his certificate of currency and public liability documents. In his view, professionalism helps Jim’s operators get picked quickly because many independents do not offer the same level of assurance.

He also mentions the uniform and the brand. That does not replace good work, but it helps build trust faster.

If you are comparing self-employment with a system backed by franchisee training and a recognised brand, that is a practical advantage, not a cosmetic one.

What Challenges Did Mark Have To Overcome To Keep Growing?

The first challenge was personal. He moved across the country, got as far as Port Augusta, and wondered whether he had made the right call.

The second challenge was operational. He had to stop thinking like a pure builder and start thinking like a service business owner with faster quoting, faster invoicing, and lighter overhead.

The third challenge was skill breadth. Mark says retic can be frustrating and hard to get your head around, but it is good money. He also says new operators who only want to mow will struggle.

Growth came from capability, not from staying narrow.

Is Mark’s Jim’s Mowing Franchise Worth It After 10 Years?

By his own standard, yes.

He says he has never struggled or had to chase work. He says Perth has been the best decision the family ever made. He says the business gives him profit, flexibility, and enough control over his time to stay heavily involved in community football.

That is the strongest kind of proof because it goes beyond turnover. It shows fit.

For Mark Connick, the Jim’s Mowing franchise works because it gives him income, repeat work, manageable stress, and room for family and volunteer commitments.

What Does A Jim’s Professional Offer That A Standard Operator Often Cannot?

Feature	Standard Operator	Jim’s Professional
Training	Often learned through trial and error	Structured entry, plus, in Mark’s case, six months of hands-on learning before takeover
Leads	Must self-generate all demand	Backed by brand awareness and strong enquiry flow
Systems	Varies by operator	Clear documents, public liability cover, certificate of currency, and franchisor support
Branding	Personal brand only	Recognised Jim’s brand, uniform, and professional presentation
Income Consistency	More exposed if work stays narrow	Better stability when services include mowing, retic, clean-ups, pruning, and installs

“I’ve never, ever struggled or had to chase work.”

— Mark Connick, Jim’s Mowing franchisee, Perth, WA

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Earn?

It varies by operator, location, and service mix. In Mark Connick’s case, he says his business has produced roughly $110,000 to $120,000 a year over the last three years, plus cash work.

Do You Need To Do More Than Mowing To Succeed?

According to Mark, yes. He says you cannot make it on mowing alone and points to retic, clean-ups, pruning, tree work, and other add-on services as the real growth driver.

What Support Do Jim’s Mowing Franchisees Get?

Mark says his franchisor, Andrew, calls monthly and is available when needed. He also benefited from six months of practical learning before he bought the business, which gave him a strong start.

Why Do Real Estate Firms Choose Jim’s Mowing?

Mark says insurance and professionalism matter. Certificate of currency, public liability, branded presentation, and reliability all help reduce perceived risk for property managers.

Can One Person Run A Profitable Jim’s Mowing Franchise?

Mark’s story shows that one person can. He runs the business mostly on his own, keeps the profit himself, and prefers that lower-stress model.

Why Is Perth A Strong Location For This Kind Of Business?

Perth gives him outdoor working conditions he likes, but the bigger advantage is the variety. Sandy conditions and hot weather create ongoing retic and irrigation work, which helps smooth out the business.

What Is The Biggest Lesson From Mark Connick’s Story?

Do not stay narrow. The operator who can solve more problems for a customer usually earns more from that relationship over time.

Key Takeaways

• Mark Connick moved from building into a Jim’s Mowing franchise and now earns about $110,000 to $120,000 a year as a solo operator.
• His growth came from doing more than mowing, especially retic, clean-ups, pruning, lawn installs, and property work for real estate firms.
• Faster payment cycles and lower overhead made the model feel better than construction.
• Repeat work, referrals, and same-street clustering helped him build to 100-plus clients in Perth.
• The Jim’s brand, insurance position, and practical support helped him win trust and keep work flowing.

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