Thinking about a Jim's Mowing franchise later in life? Harry Parker bought his at 69. Two years on, he runs 87 regular clients on about 32 hours a week, and his heart surgeon says the work added 10 years to his life.
Harry spent 40 years building clothing businesses, including a senior role at a major rugby jersey company. Retirement didn't suit him. He bought a 43-client split in Lilydale, doubled his client base in 12 months and grew revenue another 30% in year two.
His growth comes from doing more for existing clients. A $385 aeration lead turned into $1,300 of lawn treatments. He quotes around $120 an hour for basic mowing and charges more for ride-on and specialist work. Two of his daughters work alongside him one day a week, knocking over 15 to 17 jobs by mid-afternoon.
Harry also explains how he uses Microsoft Copilot to write quotes and plan his daily route, how a forestry contractor in his network helps him win large land-clearing jobs, and what he teaches the new franchisees he mentors about quoting.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why Harry bought a Jim's Mowing franchise at 69
How upselling existing clients grew his revenue 30%
How he prices jobs by time on site, not tasks
How AI saves him 20 minutes a day in the car
What separates franchisees who make it from those who don't
0:00 Highlights
0:55 Meet Harry, 71 years young
1:29 Growing revenue 30% in a year
2:39 Working with his daughters
4:43 A 32-hour week
5:37 Doing more for existing clients
8:33 How he raises extra services
9:55 Buying a 43-client split
10:45 Pricing around $120 an hour
13:24 Doing more than he quotes
15:39 Equipment for big properties
17:08 Building a contractor network
21:34 Mentoring new franchisees
23:51 Turning one-offs into regulars
26:08 Using AI for quotes
31:33 Planning his run with AI
33:43 Keeping client data out of AI
34:48 His plans for the business
35:42 Health at 71
38:48 Winter vs summer workload
40:06 Franchise life vs corporate life
43:50 Observation days with prospects
46:13 Who succeeds in Jim's Mowing
50:04 Advice for older buyers
INCOME DISCLAIMER
The income, revenue and profit figures shared in this video reflect one franchisee's individual experience. They are not a promise, projection or guarantee of earnings. Results vary based on location, hours worked, effort, skill, market conditions and other factors. Some franchisees earn more and some earn less. Figures may refer to revenue rather than profit unless stated otherwise. Before making any decision, review the official franchise documentation and seek independent legal, financial and accounting advice.
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Jim’s Mowing is Australia’s #1 lawn and garden franchise with 2,000+ local owners. Founded in 1989 by Jim Penman, we’ve become one of the country’s most trusted names in home services.
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