20 www.homebusinessnetwork.co.uk Issue 3August 2009
SECOND LifE :: Jim’S mOwiNG
By John Colley
THE working week for David Hughson
City investment boss swaps
the business – I’m out in the gardens
every day cutting the grass and doing
the hedges - but I also recruit, coach
used to involve rather a lot of
travelling. Rising at 4am on a Monday
morning he caught the shuttle flight
his bowler for a mower
and mentor new franchisees.”
Jim’s Mowing began in Melbourne
27 years ago and there are now
down to London where he stayed until more than 2,500 franchisees
late on the Friday before returning worldwide. “There are about 25
home to his family in Edinburgh. divisions of Jim’s in Australia so I can
As deputy chief executive of Royal see the possibilities of what Jim’s
London asset management, suits and in the UK in 10 to 15 years’ time
commuting was all part of his life. could be and I wanted to be in there
“But it was beginning to take its at the start, that’s how you make
toll,” says David. He spent 24 years the maximum amount of money.
in investment business starting with With Jim’s Mowing there is a proven
Scottish Life and rising through the growth model,” he adds.
ranks ending up in charge of the The nucleus of the business is, as
whole investment operation until the name says, cutting grass. But the
the firm was taken over by Royal up-selling, allowing franchise holders
London – which resulted in the weekly to offer a wide range of garden
commute across the border. services, allows each to build their
business to suit their own skills and
preferences by offering everything
❝
There’s nothing worse than
from pruning and planting to paving.
trying to pretend to be Alan
“Just as coffee is the main part of
Starbucks, they also sell sandwiches
Titchmarsh when you are not -
and muffins. So do we offer
you’ll be found out.
❞
supplementary services but it’s down
to each individual franchise owner as
to what services they offer.
But four years ago – following “Most of the franchisees will be
redundancy - David turned his back able to do to a high standard the
on his jet-set, corporate way of life. pruning, weeding and planting, others
Now he cuts grass – and rather a lot will do landscaping, fencing and even
of it. His south Edinburgh franchise garden design but if you are only
of the Australian Jim’s Mowing comfortable doing grass and verges
gardening and domestic services then stick to that. There’s nothing
operation generates income of worse than trying to pretend to be
£200,000 a year. Alan Titchmarsh when you are not –
“I have seven employees and 120 you’ll be found out,” says David.
regular customers,” says David, Franchisees are offered various
50, who also has the area rights to levels of training and the initial
recruit franchisees for the whole of induction takes place in Australia,
L
Your business idea quarter page advert 128 x 157mm
othian. “But I do still actually work
David Hughson: Winner of the Jim’s Mowing Franchise of the Year
“which is fantastic,” he adds.
SNAP SHOT
Name: Paul Widdowson
Location: Sandhurst & Knaphill
Company name: Event Planners
Age: 53
Most useful item: My mobile!
Home worker tip: Network,
Network, Network! Build
a reputation through
organisations such as Chamber
of Commerce or BNI (Business
Network International). Personal
recommendations are the best!
Web: www.event-planners.co.uk
“I started Event Planners in
April 1995. We provide anything
in the world of entertainment
from a bouncy castle to a
comedian, from a fun casino to a
face painter and from a helium
SN
balloon to a hog roast. I can
AP SH
OT
provide it all.
I used to be a project
manager for Sainsbury’s but
We market via networking,
could see the writing was on the
personal recommendations and
wall and didn’t want to re-apply
targeted local advertising. The
for my job. I was earning a few
market is very tough at the
extra pounds at weekends when
moment so I am increasing my
I had some free time and was
local advertising spend to make
putting out so many inflatables, I
sure people are aware there is a
never had any time to myself.
’one stop shop’ for entertainment
There are three of us working full
very local where they can
time here now, and we target anyone
discuss their requirements for
getting married or who wants a
whatever function they are
party - private or corporate. We also
running. Many people have
have strategic alliances with both
commented they like the idea
the local newspaper group and radio
of just using one company to
station providing entertainment at
provide all of their requirements
shows and fetes on their behalf.
as it saves them hassle.”
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