South Auckland franchisee Hitesh Chand says moving out of corporate work gave him more control of his time, helped him build a team of three, and supported bigger lifestyle wins such as a second house and 12 trips to Fiji. In the episode, he says Jim’s stood out for transparency, affordability, and the backup that made the move feel lower risk.
In short: Hitesh Chand moved from an $80,000 salary in construction into outdoor service work he already loved, then chose a Jim’s Mowing franchise because of transparency, affordability, and support.
In this More Than Just Mowing Podcast episode, Hitesh Chand, a Jim’s Mowing franchisee in South Auckland, New Zealand, moved from being a founder and resource coordinator in construction into a more flexible outdoor business model. He had been with Jim’s for more than a month, had already built a team of three, and relied on Jim’s backup around leads, health and safety, insurance, and systems while running a broad service mix well beyond mowing.
This story shows why a Jim’s Mowing franchise can appeal to someone who wants more control, practical support, and room to grow. Hitesh left an $80,000 salary, says the first week was tough, then he built a work style that gave him more freedom and a stronger family upside.
What Was Hitesh Doing Before He Joined Jim’s Mowing?
Before joining Jim’s, Hitesh was the founder and resource coordinator in a construction company.
He also was not starting from zero. He says he had already been a mowing contractor for six years, owned a cleaning business, did water blasting, worked as a chef for 11 years, had been a bar manager, and also did catering.
That matters. This is not a story about someone who had never worked with customers. It is a story about someone who already knew how to sell, show up, work hard, and spot an opportunity.
Why Did Hitesh Choose A Jim’s Mowing Franchise In South Auckland?
His answer was direct. He chose Jim’s because of transparency.
He says he researched other options and felt Jim’s was clearer, more affordable, and easier to trust. He also liked that he could speak directly with Jim Penman and get a straight answer.
That combination matters for anyone weighing buying a franchise. Hitesh was not chasing branding alone. He was looking for a business model that felt understandable and commercially fair.
He also points to the fee structure. Joel Kleber describes Jim’s as a flat-fee model rather than a percentage-of-revenue model. That makes the decision easier to compare against other franchise systems, especially if you are already looking at how franchising fees work.
What Happened In Hitesh’s First Few Months With Jim’s?
Hitesh said he had been with Jim’s for more than a month.
He also says the first week was difficult. That is important because it keeps the story honest. He did not pretend the transition was instantly smooth.
But he says the move became easier as he went on. He started to understand the rhythm of working for himself, choosing his own time, and building work around the life he wanted instead of fitting life around someone else’s roster.
This is also where the Jim’s backup mattered. He says the biggest thing was knowing he had support with leads, health and safety, insurance, and systems. For a new operator, that kind of backup reduces the fear that everything rests on one bad job or one quiet week.
How Much Can You Earn With A Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Hitesh left an $80,000 salary and says working for himself changed his financial position over time. He says he and his family were able to buy a second house and rent it out. He also says he owns a boat, a motorhome, and a classic V8.
For a broader context on franchise income ranges, readers can explore how much they can earn with a Jim’s franchise.
How Did Hitesh Grow Beyond Basic Mowing Jobs?
Hitesh lists home cleans, commercial cleaning, exit cleans, general garden tidy-ups, landscaping, ready lawns, turf laying, water blasting, hedge work, fruit tree trimming, and gutter cleaning.
That broader mix matters in South Auckland. He says the area includes lifestyle blocks, farming areas, and ongoing housing development. That gives him more than one type of customer and more than one type of job to quote.
He also says he has a team of three. That matters because it shows capacity.
When asked about weekly work, he says that apart from mowing, they average about five big jobs a week, including hedges and exit cleans. He also says that on the day of the interview, he had quoted three jobs and had already had two approved.
That is a better growth signal than a vague claim about “doing well”. It shows active quoting, approvals, and service diversification.
What Systems Helped Hitesh Win Work And Keep Customers?
Why Fast Lead Response Improves Quote Conversion
Hitesh says that if he is on the machine and misses a call, he checks his phone every 45 to 60 minutes.
If he sees a lead, he stops what he is doing and calls the customer. He asks whether they are home, when he can inspect the job, and how quickly he can quote.
That sounds simple. It is not basic. It is effective.
A lot of service businesses lose jobs in the gap between enquiry and first contact. Hitesh closes that gap fast. The customer gets a real call, a real time, and a real next step.
Why Communication Helps Him Keep Customers
His second system is punctual communication.
He says he always tells the customer when he will be there. If he is late by five or ten minutes, he calls and explains why. If they do not answer, he leaves a message, sends a text, or emails.
That changes the experience from “tradie silence” to reliable service.
He also frames customer service in a simple way: treat the customer as if they were you. That mindset helps explain why he says customers often end up feeling more like relationships than one-off transactions.
Why Trust And Risk Cover Help Him Sell
Hitesh also points to the Jim’s structure itself.
He says customers trust Jim’s because there are health and safety standards and public liability cover. He says customers know a Jim’s contractor is there to do the job properly, not just turn up and disappear.
That trust is especially important for bigger jobs such as gutters, hedging, ready lawns, and property tidy-ups. When a customer sees brand backing, safety awareness, and communication discipline together, the sale gets easier.
If you want to understand how Jim’s builds that support behind new operators, the franchisee training page is one of the most relevant internal references.
What Challenges Did Hitesh Face After Leaving An $80k Salary?
The obvious challenge was leaving security.
Hitesh says family, friends, and even his wife questioned the move. That is normal when someone walks away from a known salary, transport, and the usual employment benefits.
He also says the first week was hard.
But the more specific challenge was psychological. He had to stop comparing self-employment to wages. He had to stop expecting a neat one-for-one replacement in the first week and start thinking like a business owner.
That is a useful lesson for anyone comparing an employee role to a Jim’s Mowing franchise opportunity. The move is not just about replacing wages. It is about building a system, a customer base, and a working life you control.
Is A Jim’s Mowing Franchise Worth It For Career Changers?
Hitesh says yes.
He is direct about it. He says, “Just do it.”
That is not because the work is effortless. It is because, in his view, the trade-off is worth it. He values the freedom, the customer relationships, the outdoor work, and the ability to shape his own time.
He also gives a strong family proof point. He says his wife now comes with him, they work well together, and since he started working for himself, he has made 12 trips to Fiji to see family. That is a powerful quality-of-life result.
Independent Operator Vs Jim’s Mowing Franchise
| Feature | Standard Operator | Jim’s Professional |
| Training | Often self-taught or learned through trial and error | Structured training and onboarding, which Hitesh described as top-notch |
| Leads | Must self-generate every lead | Jim’s backup with leads, plus the operator can still market locally |
| Systems | Owner creates their own quoting, safety, and service process | Backed by systems around leads, health and safety, insurance, and support |
| Branding | Must build trust from scratch | Customers already recognise the Jim’s name and expect standards |
| Income Consistency | More exposed to quiet patches and slower trust-building | Better positioned for repeat work through brand trust, broad services, and lead support |
“I was on a good salary with all the usual benefits, but working for myself changed everything. I’ve got more freedom, more time with family, and the results speak for themselves.”
— Hitesh Chand, Jim’s Mowing franchisee, South Auckland
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Jim’s Mowing Only About Lawn Mowing?
No. Hitesh’s service list includes hedges, gutters, ready lawns, exit cleans, commercial cleaning, landscaping, water blasting, and fruit tree trimming. That wider service mix is one reason his business can grow beyond basic mowing.
Why Did Hitesh Choose Jim’s Instead Of Staying Independent?
He says the deciding factors were transparency and affordability. He also valued being backed by leads, health and safety, insurance, and systems rather than carrying everything alone.
What Support Does A New Jim’s Mowing Franchisee Get?
In this episode, Hitesh says he got strong training and ongoing backup. He specifically mentions support around leads, health and safety, insurance, and systems, which helped him feel more secure early on.
What Makes Hitesh’s Customer Service Approach Work?
He responds fast, confirms times clearly, and communicates if anything changes. He says even a quick call, text, or voicemail can make the difference between losing trust and keeping the job.
Can You Build A Team In A Jim’s Mowing Franchise?
Yes, Hitesh says he already had a team of three. He also explains that he recruits through advertising and word of mouth, including students and retirees who want to stay active.
Key Takeaways
- Hitesh Chand left an $80,000 salary and chose a Jim’s Mowing franchise because he saw transparency, affordability, and strong support.
- A team of three, about five big jobs a week apart from mowing, 12 trips to Fiji, and a second house.
- His biggest operating edge is not a fancy app. It is fast lead response and clear customer communication.
- His South Auckland business grows because it is more than mowing, with hedges, gutters, ready lawns, exit cleans, and landscaping.
- For career changers, this story is strongest as a case for control, support, and service diversification, not instant overnight income.
Ready To Take The Next Step With Jim’s Mowing?
Book A Trusted Jim’s Mowing Professional In Your Area
If you are a homeowner in South Auckland or a similar growth area, the appeal is simple: one operator who can handle more than just grass. Hedges, gutters, tidy-ups, ready lawns, and property presentation work all sit inside the same trusted service offer, which is exactly why the Jim’s Mowing services page matters for customers comparing providers.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Mowing today.
See Whether A Jim’s Mowing Franchise Fits Your Next Move
If Hitesh’s story sounds familiar, an employee role that pays well but gives you less control, then this is the real lesson: the move worked because he matched his work to the kind of life he wanted and chose a structure that gave him support.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Mowing at jims.co.nz or call 0800 454 654 today.
