Hannah and Kosta Zikos have boundless enthusiasm for the Jim’s Dog Wash business they started two years ago.
The young couple have fired up and expanded their business and are full of ideas for the future.
Their dream business was a lifestyle shift. Kosta had just finished a chef apprenticeship and Hannah was working as a waitress.
“We were putting in so much work for a minimal return,” Kosta says. “We started early and finished late, it felt like we never saw the sun!”
Familiar with the lifestyle opportunities in small business ownership through their families, the pair decided to strike out independently.
They looked at hospitality options that would use their skills, but the overheads and competitive market soon shifted their focus.
“I always had a vision to work with animals,” Hannah reveals. “I started vet studies at uni, but it wasn’t for me, I wanted to work with domesticated animals.”
Jim’s Dog Wash business model
Enthusiastic dog owners themselves (they are proud pet parents of four cocker spaniels) when they came across Jim’s Dog Wash ads on Facebook they were impressed.
Kosta says there were several defining factors in their purchasing decision. The franchise structure appealed to the pair.
“Franchise fees ensure the eco-system survives but Jim’s is not a commission-based franchise, it charges flat fees. Some competitors had a lower buy-in but higher fees and we decided flat fees would be more beneficial to us because we are extremely quick and organised,” he says.
They liked the business potential too.
Hannah says, “We saw we could give ourselves a better lifestyle with a Jim’s Dog Wash business, and give back to the community. We could see people thriving in this business, and there is plenty of unserviced work.”
The pair estimate they receive between 20 and 30 leads from the call centre every two days.
“And the marketing support is brilliant,” says Kosta. “Social media boosting has been so convenient – Facebook can provide between 40 and 80 per cent of our leads.
“We get constant support,” he adds. “The franchisor who looks after our area helps with any customer concerns, and it removes the stress for us. Jim is always available too.
“That was another defining factor: Jim was there doing the presentation at pre-purchase training. He ensures he is there with the franchisees; he’s not dialling it in.
“From the beginning, we knew what we were buying into, we read the contract,” says Kosta. “Everything was very transparent.”
Building a profitable business
The Zikoses bought an existing territory to jumpstart their business. They gave up their incomes and began life as business owners working together in one trailer.
Franchisees lease a trailer kitted out with the essentials – grooming tools, shampoos and products and add to these in the first year.
“The profits are made in the second and third year where you don’t have those expenses,” Kosta points out.
Initially, they worked 12 to 14-hour days, seven days a week.
“We worked that hard to get the business running because the previous franchisee was charging mates’ rates!” says Kosta.
The couple raised their prices over time, easily replacing the few cost-conscious clients they lost. Linking rising prices to increased professionalism worked in their favour.
“We explained we were matching our prices to our experience and premium service and clients could see the value,” he says.
“Our repeat clients, booking every two to 16 weeks, have been the heart of our business from the beginning.”
Expansion and training
The hard work paid off. It took just six months for them to become so proficient they were asked to train new franchisees in South Australia.
So they did something a little different. The Zikoses bought their own van and had it fully kitted out as a dog grooming salon that met Jim’s rigorous standards.
The fully branded van is a second mobile grooming salon and training centre, so Hannah and Kosta have nearly doubled their client capacity.
They also took on a bigger, more central area with access to a wider cohort of potential customers. Now the business is fully booked three months in advance.
“Financially it’s been amazing. I never thought I’d make this kind of money,” Kosta says.
Ambitions for their Jim’s Dog Wash lifestyle
So what’s next? Hannah and Kosta have ambitions to expand into full indoor and outdoor pet care alongside their mobile grooming services.
“It’s a natural evolution,” says Hannah. “We want to create a safe space for dogs to enjoy socialisation and physical activities and provide a stress-free boarding environment. Our customers already trust us to provide a personal service for their dogs.”
Will this become a new franchise model? It’s all to be decided, as they discuss the options with Jim and the franchise team.
One thing is for sure. The Jim’s Dog Wash business has given them what they wanted as new business owners.
Hannah says, “We breathe, eat and sleep this business, it’s become a big part of our lives.”
The pair love the lifestyle Jim’s Dog Wash delivers, and the choices of how and when they work. And of course they love their clients!
“We love the people, the dogs with different traits, and spending time with dogs is very therapeutic. Grooming changes how a dog feels; you see them come in a bit uncomfortable, and after a bath and a haircut they are running around the backyard so happy. It’s very rewarding,” Hannah says.