Jim's Podcast

Lloyd Richardson took over Jim's Bookkeeping in 2018 with around 20 franchisees. Seven years later, the division has more than 67 franchisees, 9 regional franchisors, and just became the first division in the network to earn the 50-franchisee plaque on the Jim's training room wall.Lloyd is a fellow CPA who grew up inside his father's accounting firm, scaled it to 26 staff, sold it in 1999, and retired. He came back to consulting, met Jim Penman, and ended up running one of the strongest divisions in the Jim's Group. In this episode of the Jim's podcast, Lloyd sits down with Joel to break down how the division actually works, what makes a successful Jim's Bookkeeping franchisee, and why his vision for the group is to build the happiest bookkeepers in Australia.Lloyd also covers the Payday Super legislation coming in on 1 July, why every Jim's franchisor needs to know about it, and the new MYOB Solo deal that gives any new business owner a year of accounting software plus 2 months of a Jim's bookkeeper for $11. He also explains the new regional franchisor pathway designed specifically for existing accounting firm owners who want to slow down without selling.timestamps 00:00 Introduction00:19 50 Franchisees and Growing01:20 Lloyd's Accounting Background02:56 Taking Over Jim's Bookkeeping05:54 Franchise Myths Accountants Get Wrong07:33 How the Franchise Works09:08 Weekly Support and Ask the Experts11:46 Training and Systems16:12 Traits of Successful Franchisees18:45 Regional Franchisor Opportunities21:14 Getting Your First Clients25:30 Starting Part-Time26:31 Services Offered27:31 Payday Super Explained30:29 Vehicle Log Books and Tax31:47 Cash Flow Advisory33:48 AI and the Future of Bookkeeping41:13 Building Wealth Through Business49:10 Franchise Costs51:56 The Happiest Bookkeeper53:00 Contact and Final Thoughts

One Jim's Hazmat franchisee did $750,000 in revenue in his second year while taking three months off. In this episode Joel sits down with Gary, the Jim's Hazmat franchisor, and Jason, the national franchise manager, to break down what is one of the fastest growing and least understood divisions inside Jim's Group. Gary started six years ago working from a corner of his kitchen and now leads 31 franchisees across the country. Jason walks through the three day induction, the 13 services Hazmat franchisees deliver, and what kind of person succeeds in the role. You will hear the real numbers behind the division, including a $42,000 fire job finished in three days and a $90,000 asbestos job done by a franchisee less than a year into the business. Gary explains why most franchisees pay off their buy-in within six months, how the team coordinates work across franchisees instead of competing, and why he set a goal of 1,000 franchisees. If you want to know what franchise opportunity Joel calls the best kept secret in Jim's Group, start here.0:00 The $42k and $90k jobs that paid off franchises0:46 Gary's journey from FIFO worker to Jim's Hazmat4:19 What Jim's Hazmat actually does6:17 The 3-day induction and 13-service training10:16 Six years building from a kitchen corner13:04 Hoarder cleans and jobs nobody else wants17:47 Women in Hazmat and partner involvement19:56 Buy-in costs and 6-month payback24:20 Why there's no income ceiling in this division28:00 The $42k fire job and $90k asbestos job30:31 Hard work, hot conditions, real reward34:05 Goal of 1,000 franchisees37:18 Training and support for new franchisees40:41 Full fees breakdown41:42 From Audi manager to $750k revenue in year two45:04 Why this is Jim's Group's best kept secret49:58 Expanding into New Zealand

Robert Young brought Jim's Building Maintenance and Jim's Handyman to New Zealand five years ago. His teams are now the market leader nationally, booked months out in Wellington and Christchurch while independent builders are calling him asking for work.Robert joins Joel on the Jim's podcast to make the case that property maintenance is the most recession-proof trade business in New Zealand right now, and that owning a customer base of around 1,000 people is the only real protection a tradie has against AI disruption and a flat economy. He has been through five NZ recessions and the pattern is the same each time.The conversation unpacks how the Jim's flat-fee model works versus percentage-based franchise systems that quietly turn franchisees into subcontractors. Robert breaks down how lead fees operate, why the maximum lead fee in NZ is $35, why some franchisees stop taking leads after 18 months, how territory and customer ownership actually work, and why his franchisees charge close to double the rates of independent builders. He also explains the pay-for-work guarantee and why it is rarely claimed.If you are a qualified builder or a seriously handy tradie in New Zealand thinking about your next move, this one is worth your time.

What's the real strategy a top Jim's Cleaning franchisee used to build their business? Not ads. Not leaflets. The unserviced leads report.In this episode Janille, head trainer for Jim's Cleaning New Zealand, sits down with Joel Kleber to break down how she and her husband went from bookkeeper and construction project manager to one of the top Jim's Cleaning franchises in NZ. Within the first few weeks they reduced their incoming leads and started cherrypicking from the unserviced leads report instead. Her husband refreshed it 50 times a day. Every lead got a callback within 30 seconds, before the customer had time to call anyone else.Janille now trains every new Jim's Cleaning franchisee in New Zealand on the same playbook. She covers why "no callbacks" is the service standard top franchisees build around, how one of her clients has sent her 8 referrals, the role real estate agents and property managers play in commercial work, and why "Facebook cleaners" can't compete on quality, insurance or accountability.If you're weighing up a Jim's Cleaning franchise in Australia or New Zealand, start here.0:00 Janille's first 6 months1:20 From bookkeeper to Jim's Cleaning1:50 Reducing leads in month one2:25 The unserviced leads report explained3:40 How customers react to the callback4:25 Building a top franchise in NZ4:45 The no callbacks service standard5:45 One client, 8 referrals6:15 Moving into the head trainer role7:15 What on-road training covers9:14 Jim's Cleaning vs Facebook cleaners11:15 The Jim's enzyme-based products12:50 Oven cleaning transformations14:35 What the best franchisees do differently15:45 Working with real estate agents16:00 Bimonthly franchisee meetings16:25 Master one before adding more

Damian Bush felt fit, coached footy, hit the gym, and weighed 80kg. Then a routine check found his resting heart rate sitting at 137 and he was in emergency heart surgery the next day.Damian has been a Jim's Mowing franchisee in Tasmania for nearly 10 years and supports the Tassie network alongside running his own crew. He joins Joel on the Jim's Mowing podcast to share the health scare that nearly took him out, and the business systems that kept his income running while he recovered.The conversation covers why franchisees service their machines but neglect themselves, the income protection gap most operators have no idea about, and how Damian turned every Tasmanian customer into a fortnightly retainer across all four seasons. Damian also breaks down the personal brand standards he runs his business by, how one local franchisee got 18 five-star Google reviews in two weeks, and why sponsoring local sport teams and raffle prizes still outperforms digital ads for long-term franchisees.If you run a service business or you are looking at a Jim's franchise, this one is worth your time.0:00 Diversifying services and winter upsells0:45 Meet Damian Bush, Tasmania franchisee1:10 The health scare that changed everything3:14 A resting heart rate of 137 with no symptoms6:23 Why franchisees skip their own check-ups9:25 Income protection and personal cover12:11 Diversifying into a full-garden retainer model14:24 How to get off Jim's leads and build referrals19:07 Personal brand standards every franchisee needs22:30 Setting your own non-negotiable standards24:34 Upselling, networking, and Google My Business33:00 Why one franchisee gets requested by name38:16 The 30 doors a day local marketing tactic40:21 Sponsoring sport teams and raffle prizes46:31 Building referrals through community trust

#ASKJIM May 2026 with Jim Penman and Joel Kleber

A franchisor recently copped a $19,800 fine for failing to update an entry on a government website nobody uses.Jay Westbury is the CEO of the Franchise Council of Australia. He returns to the show to walk through the regulatory changes hitting Australian franchising right now. The episode covers what's already been passed, what's sitting in the lower house, and what franchisors and franchisees need to be paying attention to.Jay breaks down the Franchise Disclosure Register fine and why the FCA is pushing for the register to be moved out of the ACCC. He covers the Unfair Trading Practices legislation, why Unfair Contract Terms reform has hit 100 per cent compliance across franchising, and the Reserve Bank's October surcharge ban, including the awkward gap where Mastercard and Visa surcharges are banned but Amex is not. He also covers the FCA Awards in Brisbane on 17 June and the National Franchise Convention in Canberra in October.If you run a franchise network or own a franchise, this is the brief on what's about to land.

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A franchisor now gets fined when one of their franchisees underpays staff, even when the franchisor had nothing to do with it. Payday Super kicks in 1 July and means super contributions must clear within 7 days of every pay run, not quarterly. The salary buffer rule that most employers rely on to stay compliant has changed, and one overtime-heavy week can now trigger an underpayment claim that costs hundreds of dollars per employee.In this interview, Damien Gooden from ER Strategies (an FCA Platinum Partner) walks through the industrial relations changes that will hit franchisors and franchisees over the next 12 months. You will hear exactly what the Vulnerable Workers Act requires every franchisor to have in place, broken into four specific elements. You will hear how the junior wages ruling phases in between December 2026 and July 2029, and what that does to business models built on lower-cost 18 to 20 year olds. You will hear the salary offset case study with real dollar figures, showing how a $55,000 salary that was compliant under the old rule can now leave an employer $404 short in a single pay cycle.Damien's number one takeaway for every franchise network: time sheets. For every employee, without exception, including salaried staff. That is the evidence that protects you when Fair Work comes knocking.If you run a franchise or employ staff under an Australian award, this is the compliance update you need before the next quarter starts.Need help? Contact https://erstrategies.com.au/ or https://hrcentral.com.au/

Independent electricians in Australia are paying $4,000 to $5,000 a month to generate roughly half the leads Jim's Electrical delivers for $620.Cam Scott has run Jim's Electrical for 18 years and sits down with Joel to lay out the real numbers behind the division. He covers the fee structure, how lead fees work, why franchisees regularly get blown away by the volume of work in their first week, and what a 70 to 90 percent conversion rate looks like in practice. One franchisee in the group is turning over close to $700,000 a year with four staff, paying around $25,000 in total annual fees. Another had 15 five-star reviews inside his first two weeks.Cam also talks about current territory availability across Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle, Wollongong and regional Victoria, and how to get started for $25,000 with a $12,000 interest-free payment plan.If you are a sparky running your own business and you have never seriously looked at Jim's Electrical, this episode will change how you think about your marketing spend.www.jims.net TIMESTAMPS0:00 Introduction and Cam's background3:10 How Jim's Electrical started 18 years ago6:30 Who suits this franchise division9:45 Why independent sparkies resist the switch13:00 Lead quality and volume compared to independents17:20 Fee structure and the real cost comparison22:00 How lead fees work and why they exist26:30 Support and business coaching included31:00 Building a team with no extra monthly fees35:20 Services: domestic and light commercial38:45 Territory availability around Australia42:00 Entry cost and interest-free payment plan46:30 Observation days and how to inquire50:00 Why Cam has stayed with Jim's for 18 years

Sean went from 10 years managing an Aldi supermarket to $250,000 in his first year as a Jim's Hazmat franchisee, with no trade background and no prior business experience.Sean joins Joel on the Jim's Group Podcast to break down how he built one of the fastest-growing runs in the Jim's Hazmat division from scratch. He covers the full range of services his business does, including asbestos removal, biohazard cleans, crime scenes, hoarder cleans, mould treatment and meth testing. Sean talks through the real investment figure, the average job value, how he built his referral network through builders and real estate agents, and why his wife was able to leave full-time work before he hit his second year.By year three, Sean is projecting $700,000. He also talks about becoming the first Jim's Hazmat franchisor in New Zealand and what that opportunity looks like for the right person.Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Sean's background3:20 Why Sean chose Jim's Hazmat over other divisions7:00 Training and certifications explained11:30 $250k in year one: the real numbers15:00 Investment costs and ROI18:30 Scaling to $700k and hiring staff22:00 Asbestos removal: the full process29:00 Biohazard cleans and crime scenes36:00 Hoarder cleans and what they involve43:00 Mold, meth testing and syringe pickups49:00 Building referrals through builders54:00 Franchise fees and lead system explained59:00 Mindset shift from employee to business owner1:05:00 Becoming a franchiseor in New Zealand

Laura, Andreas, Peter and Sam from Jim's Building Inspections have a chat about how they run their business, the industry and how being a franchisee has been for them personally in this open franchisee roundtable.

Ali Olmez, CEO of Jim's Cleaning Group, joined us in the studio to share the Jim's Cleaning Group's plans for 2026.A must listen for anyone thinking about joining Jim's.

#ASKJIM March 2026 with Jim Penman and Joel Kleber

Haydar's back for 2026 with a whole bunch of updates about the Jim's Cleaning Group. To learn more about joining us, visit www.jims.net

Meet Sarfy, who is heading up the JIMBO app and shares the latest developments and what is planned for future releases.

Meet Justin from Jim's Pool Care who shares his experiences about running an independant business before joining Jim's and which is better.

Meet Craig Smith, who is a star Jim's Carpet Cleaning franchisee in Mildura. He shares his journey, passion for mental health and some great local marketing strategies that he used to build his business.

Meet Angel and Norman, who share how they have scaled their business using a VA system which is available to franchisees to use.

It's worth checking this out on YouTube when it drops next week as Jim clarified some incorrect information in a video that you have probably all seen!

In this episode of the Jim's Podcast, Ibrahim Mousalli shares how he went from bricklayer to building a thriving 5-star cleaning business in under two years.He breaks down what sets him apart in a competitive industry — from delivering high-quality service to using social media and word-of-mouth to generate consistent work without relying on paid leads.We also explore his mindset on competition, handling rejection, and building a business that runs beyond just himself.

Michael spent 32 years in the corporate world, then jumped into a Jim's Mowing franchise. In his first 12 months he built a standout business. 126 reviews, 4.9 stars, multiple staff. Then he doubled down and bought a second franchise with Jim's Window and Pressure Cleaning.In this episode, Michael shares how he scaled so fast. Turning one lead into a major aged care account, training staff for consistent five-star work, quoting faster using customer videos, and building a bundled services plan (mowing, gardening, windows, gutters, solar, pressure cleaning) to grow revenue per customer.If you're considering a Jim's franchise or want to scale a mowing and gardening business with a team, this one's for you.To learn more call www.jimsmowing.com.au

Scott Mark shares his story and how he runs his franchise with multiple teams. To learn more about Jim's Mowing, call us on 131 546 or www.jimsmowing.com.au

We had 2 #ASKJIM's in February 2026, Jim covers a lot of things plus why he is running for the seat of Northcote in the Victorian state election.

In this episode, Tom breaks down the real difference between going independent and plugging into an established brand. He shares how he went from signing up to every lead app under the sun to managing a flood of enquiries. And why, within his first 2 to 3 weeks, he'd already quoted $200k to $300k worth of work.We also get into:Why he watched Jim's for 5 years before making the jump.What changed immediately once the brand was on the shirt.How he approaches pricing when you're no longer racing to the bottom.The fencing jobs he's focusing on right now (Colorbond and timber).The mindset piece. Including his story as a professional boxer and massive weight loss journey.If you're a fencer, landscaper, or anyone thinking about going out on your own (or joining a franchise), this one's a ripper.

#ASKJIM February 2026 replay with Jim Penman and Joel Kleber

11-year Jim's Mowing Peter Rogers shares all things Jim's Mowing and running a business. He gives great insights into the day-to-day of a franchisee and how to succeed in the industry. To learn more about Jim's call 131 546 or www.jims.net

Jim's Mowing has a new divisional franchisor! Meet Dan Cahill who shares his story and his plans for the division.

On this episode of the Jim's Podcast, we interview Jason Jaap from Jim's Scratch and Dent.Jason clears up the long-running “supermarket” myth and takes us right back to 1990, when he bought a Jim's Mowing franchise at 22 years old. From there, it's a proper Jim's story. Master franchise days, building support systems, launching new divisions, and then heading to the UK before coming back to Australia and eventually building a scratch and dent business that grew big enough to sell to private equity.We also get into what Jim's Scratch and Dent looks like today. Mobile repairs in customers' driveways, what the work actually involves, the type of people they're looking for, training, support, and what franchisees can realistically earn (including the “good week” numbers). Jason also explains the fees, the territory setup, and the new membership program “Jim's Scratch and Dent Protect” designed for new car owners.If you've ever wondered how this division works, or you're a qualified spray painter thinking about running your own business, this one's worth a listen.

Ben is the first Jim's Electrical franchisee based on the Gold Coast, and his first 90 days went fast. In month one he received 40 leads, then 69, then 74. No warm-up period. Just straight into it.In this episode, Ben shares what it was like leaving employment, going through training, and having leads come in from day one. We talk about the type of electrical work he's doing, how customer service drives reviews and referrals, and why calling leads immediately makes such a big difference.We also clear up one of the biggest myths online. Jim's does not take 20% of every job. Ben explains how the fees actually work and why having the backing of the brand reduced stress for him and his family.If you're an electrician thinking about going out on your own, this is a real look at the first three months. No hype.

Why does being a woman actually make Laura Vella a better building inspector?In this episode, I sit down with Laura Vella, an accredited certifier and Jim's Building Inspections franchisee, to talk about life on site in a male dominated industry and why her perspective has become a real advantage for buyers.Laura shares her journey from government and high end residential certification into franchising, what burnout taught her, and how communication, empathy, and attention to detail often matter more than people realise when buying property.We cover what buyers regularly miss during inspections, why the industry is largely unregulated, and the red flags to watch for when choosing an inspector. We also dive into pool safety compliance, common defects in houses and apartments, and why clear, plain English conversations after the report are just as important as the report itself.This is an honest conversation about property, professionalism, and why diversity in building inspections isn't a weakness. It's a strength.If you're buying property or want to understand what a quality inspection really looks like, this episode is worth your time.Learn more about Jim's Building Inspections at jims.net or call 131 546.

Paul is the Divisional Franchisor for Jim's Diggers, and in this interview, he shares a lot of detailed information about how the division works, services plus a lot more about the Jim's Diggers system. A great listen or watch for anyone interested in joining the Jim's Diggers franchise. You might even be able to buy a Porsche!

In this episode of the Jim's Podcast, we chat with Peter, National Franchisee of the Year for Jim's Building Inspections across Australia and New Zealand.Peter shares his journey from award-winning builder to franchise owner, what pushed him to step away from construction, and how he built a high-quality inspection business focused on integrity, education, and long-term outcomes for clients.We discuss:The mindset shift from builder to inspectorWhy quality inspections matter more than everApartment and strata risks most buyers overlookStaged inspections, expert witness reports, and dispute preventionWhat success inside the Jim's franchise system really looks likeWhether you're buying property, building a home, or curious about life inside a national franchise, this episode offers practical insights from someone who's seen the industry from every angle.

Meet Andreas, who is a star Jim's Building Inspections franchisee from Iceland originally. He shares a load of great knowledge in this interview, and it's a must listen for anyone into property.

Meet Daniel from Jim's Bookkeeping, who shares a very honest insight into owning a Jim's franchise and how he has built his team already on the back of the Jim's leads.

Nathan is six months into his Jim's Mowing journey and spring has been absolute chaos (in the best way). In this check-in episode of the Jim's Podcast, he shares what business really looks like once the busy season hits: managing days with up to 12 leads, staying organised with quoting and scheduling, and avoiding burnout while the diary fills fast.He also breaks down the numbers so far — 130+ jobs paged, around 110 converted, and 35–40 regular customers — plus the surprising impact of consistent social media (especially timelapse videos) and word of mouth.We cover:Handling the spring rush and keeping customers updatedHow he quotes, groups jobs by suburbs, and manages his diaryThe real value of brand, systems, and franchise supportFirst casual hire and plans to grow to multiple trailersWhy the biggest win isn't just money — it's freedom and happiness

In this episode of the Jim's Podcast, we hear from a Jim's Cleaning franchisee who's grown his business to 22 staff, expanded into additional services, and built a strong reputation for quality and customer service.He shares his journey from a corporate banking career to hands-on business ownership, the challenges of the early days, and the systems he uses to maintain standards as the business grows — from audits and staff training to hiring strategies that work.A practical, honest conversation about leadership, growth, and what it really takes to build a sustainable Jim's business.

Michael expected a slow start when he joined Jim's Mowing — especially heading into winter. Instead, his schedule filled faster than he imagined.In this episode of the More Than Just Mowing podcast, Michael shares his first two months as a Jim's Mowing franchisee in Canberra. He talks about starting out, learning to quote, responding quickly to leads, and how following the Jim's system helped him build a full diary early on.A practical, honest look at what new franchisees can expect when they back the process and focus on great customer service.

In this episode, Sharon sits down with three brand-new Jim's Dog Wash franchisees to unpack the real story behind joining the division. No scripts, no polish. Just honest conversations about why they chose Jim's, what training was actually like, and how it feels to step out of a job and into business ownership.You'll hear about trailer training, grooming big dogs in tight spaces, learning the systems, dealing with early nerves, and the surprising moments that made everything click. They talk openly about money, support, meeting Jim himself, and the emotional side of working with dogs every day.If you've ever wondered whether a dog wash franchise is right for you, or what it's really like behind the scenes at Jim's . This is the episode to listen to.What we cover:• Why these franchisees chose Jim's Dog Wash• The truth about training . and what surprised them• How the support system actually works• The shift from paycheques to running your own business• Trailer life, grooming challenges, and customer stories• Whether anyone can do this . even without grooming experience• Real talk about money, confidence, and backing yourselfA great episode if you're exploring franchising, love dogs, or just want a clearer picture of what it looks like to start a grooming business with real support behind you.To learn more about Jim's Dog Wash or book a day on the road, call 131 546.

Jim was interviewed by Jay Westbury, the CEO of the FCA, about what he would do to fix franchising in Australia.

#ASKJIM Facebook Live Q & A replay with Jim's Group CEO, Jim Penman and CMO, Joel Kleber.

Meet Zach from Jim's Laundry Services, who has a great story about his Jim's journey and how he runs his business.He shares how he has built his business, the reality of the Jim's system, and how you can do it as well.

#ASKJIM November 2025 with Jim Penman and Joel Kleber

Meet Shayne, who had a very successful building business for a very long-time before deciding he wanted a change and not the stress that comes with running a large business. Shayne bought a Jim's Building Inspections franchise and shares what that has been like for him and also how we can help customers a lot of money when it comes to buying their dream home.

Meet Brandon from Jim's Bathrooms and Resurfacing in Tasmania, He shares his journey and some important information for customers to consider when it comes to renovating in your home.

Meet Naldo from Jim's Mowing New Zealand who shares how he managed to build his Jim's Mowing business from scratch at the start of winter!

At 21, Skagen ditched a law-track career, joined Jim's Window & Pressure Cleaning, and pulled $30K in his first month. At 23, he's led an eight-person team to a $90K month, become Queensland franchisor, and built a referral machine with $50 neighbor offers and pay-for-performance hiring. We bust myths on Jim's fees, talk systems that save your sanity, and show how to scale without losing your weekends.

The Jim's family just got bigger! In this special episode of The Jim's Group Podcast, we're announcing the launch of Jim's Legal — a brand-new division dedicated to providing trusted, affordable legal services for franchisees and small business owners across Australia.Hear from the team behind Jim's Legal as they share how it came to life, what it means for the Jim's community, and how it's making professional legal advice more accessible than ever.Learn more at jimslegal.com.au

Mark Tracey is a WA Jim's Mowing franchisee who shares his reasons for joining Jim's Mowing and how it's been leaving FIFO to be his own boss.

Meet Cole who is just 22 years old and runs a Jim's Mowing franchise in New Zealand, he shares tips, tricks and the reality of running a small business.

Interview with Tony from Jim's Hazardous Material Removal shares everything about his business and how he helps people every week in their most trying times. This is a service that everyone needs at some stage, call Jim's on 131 546 to www.jims.net