Are you missing a brilliant business option? Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of owning and running a great little food retail business? Well, it’s time to take a serious look at some other options.

Jim Penman, founder of the Jim’s Group, believes the conversation about buying a business needs a fundamental shift. 

“I’m struck by how much people pay for retail. It can seem prestigious but restaurants have a high failure rate,” he says.

He suggests the perceived risk and high entry cost of traditional retail or food concepts should be compared to the low investment, low cost model of home services.

There’s considerably less risk associated with a lower investment level business – and the Jim’s Group has a particular focus on enabling franchisees to exit if they want to.

“You come into the business, we give you clients and teach you how to run the business. If you want to walk away, you just pay $5,000 and go independent,” Jim says.

Businesses like Jim’s Mowing or Cleaning come with financial rewards

Jim argues that the financial and lifestyle rewards of home services franchises are often overshadowed by businesses with more pizzazz. And there can be a negative association with manual work, he says.

“People don’t understand what we do, and how much money can be made. They think it is all labouring work. Ring us up, go out with a franchisee for a day, and count up the money at the end,” he suggests.

According to confidential survey data, an average franchisee in the group earns just under $3,000 a week. That equates to an annual income of about $100,000 after costs, he points out.

“This income is often above the average and is achieved with self-employed tax advantages,” he says.

Within the Jim’s Group there are 20 high-performing franchisees earning $1 million a year – and these are most commonly operating mowing or cleaning franchises. 

The model is simple but scalable and highly efficient.

And there is consistent demand across the country; Jim cites more than 200,000 enquiries that can’t be fulfilled.

“Every time we improve customer service, our leads go up,,” he says.

The franchisor takes on average $800 a month in fees. Jim cites $70 as a reasonable hourly rate for franchisee’s services with minimal outgoings.

While some businesses in the group to require qualifications, for instance plumbing and electrical, the vast majority of home services don’t rely on prior experience or certification.

Jim champions home services as a prime choice for aspiring business owners, especially those looking to escape the instability of stressful corporate roles, particularly with AI advancing, and achieve rapid financial independence.

“People can replace their corporate income very quickly, but there are lifestyle benefits too,” Jim says.

He stresses how important it is for anyone going into business to enjoy what they do.

Find the work that suits you and enjoy a flexible lifestyle

Cleaning division franchisor Haydar Hussein is the perfect example of someone from a corporate background who discovered a passion for home services.

“Haydar was a banker who discovered he loved cleaning,” Jim says. He founded his own business and then rebadged as Jim’s Cleaning. Today that business has more than 1700 franchisees across niche services such as cleaning, car detailing and carpet cleaning. 

“Some people love cars, or car cleaning, or dog washing. Some people love solving problems so test and tag is perfect for them,” Jim says.

“I speak to franchisees daily,  and mostly they enjoy what they do. When a franchise buyer asks ‘what makes the most money?’ that’s not the right question.

“What they should ask themselves is ‘what do I enjoy?’,” Jim says. “I tried carpet cleaning –  I hated it. But I love mowing lawns, and I don’t mind being rained on.

“In surveys of job satisfaction, gardening rates very highly. It’s outdoors, in nature, you’re getting exercise and you have control of your time. Yes people love the idea of a cosy cafe, but home services options like mowing give you flexibility. You can spend more time with family,” he says.

Jim points out a mowing franchisee who has been in business for 10 years who works a four-day week, mornings only.

“He has a team of guys who do jobs in one street at a time; he’s worked out a way to make it work for him,” he says. 

For anyone looking for a fresh start, whether that’s working in the great outdoors or providing a cleaning service, the Jim’s Group delivers an enjoyable working environment, flexibility, and the potential for great earnings. “You can make surprisingly good money,” Jim says.