An Inside Perspective into Pool Care Franchising (Interview with Jim’s Pool Care Franchisor Stephen Sofer)

Recently, Eden Exchange spoke with Stephen Sofer, a Regional Franchisor for Sydney East’s Jim’s Pool Care. Stephen shared his experiences working as part of the Jim’s Pool Care team and what kind of support is offered to new franchisees.

Eden Exchange
Thanks for speaking with us Stephen. Can you tell us about your background and career? Were franchise opportunities something that always interested you and why did you pick Jim’s Pool Care in particular?

Stephen Sofer
I come from a retail background and worked in a family business for  years. I was looking for a new challenge and decided to either start a new business or purchase a franchise. The cost of marketing and promotion to generate enough work wasn’t feasible for me so I decided a franchise was the best option. After looking at many franchise opportunities, I chose Jim’s Pool Care. They offered me the opportunity to run my business the way I wanted to. I was able to purchase stock from my choice of supplier, yet I was still given help and support when needed.

After doing my initial research I contacted other franchisees. They talked about their own business successes and challenges and all highly recommended Jim’s Pool Care. The structure of the franchise allowed for multiple vehicles on the road and the ability to employ staff with no additional fees. With a flat fee structure, the more I worked, the more I earned.

“As I have grown in the business, I have been able to pass my knowledge onto new franchisees and have watched them grow their own businesses.”

Eden Exchange
When someone is a first-time franchisee, what sort of qualities in a franchise should they be looking for? What advice would you have to someone working for themselves for the first time? How do you grow your customer base?

Stephen Sofer
When purchasing a franchise, you are looking for support and guidance to help you achieve your goals. Many franchise systems are set in their ways and push you to achieve their own outcomes. Jim’s Pool Care actively promotes the creation and completion of marketing plans and business goals.  Franchisors then assist franchisees to reach these goals. We have franchisees from all walks of life and different work backgrounds. Some work part-time, some do the school run and work in between while others work from sunrise to sunset.

Jim’s Pool Care has systems in place to help grow your business to a level you are happy with.The Jim’s Pool Care ‘business in a box’ system helps sets up a new franchisee with everything required to start up. Marketing material, signage for your vehicle, stock and equipment, training, and setting up of Xero accounting software are all included. This allows you to concentrate on your customers and takes the worry and stress out of starting a business.

Eden Exchange
You currently have franchise territories available across Sydney. Which areas do you specialise in? What are some of the factors that make your regions in Sydney unique?

Stephen Sofer
My territory covers prime Sydney areas from Watsons Bay to La Perouse and out to Homebush. Over  recent  years, there has been a dramatic increase in new and renovated homes, with many adding a swimming pool. The pool has now become the focal point of the house and needs to be clean all year round. There are also opportunities to upgrade pool equipment to be more energy efficient. We have been generating a lot of unserviced work in areas such as Kogarah, InnerWest, Strathfield, Drummoyne and Balmain. Territories are available in these areas and more, and can be custom designed to suit potential franchisees

“Jim’s Pool Care were extremely supportive, not only from when I first started, but even today help and advice is provided freely and without hesitation.”

Eden Exchange
How supportive were Jim’s Pool Care when you first started your franchise?

Stephen Sofer
Jim’s Pool Care were extremely supportive, not only when I first started but even today. Help and advice is provided freely and without hesitation. Contact details of all franchisees and franchisors are provided. People are more than happy to help out where they can. The biggest fear when first starting is how to install the first pump or how to quote an invoice. Most of this is covered in the training, however franchisors or fellow franchisees were only too happy to come out on site to assist in an installation, or arrange for one of our supplier reps to assist with the installation or recommend a product for a particular pool. With the use of our mobile phones, we can take photos of equipment or issues we are having and pass on to our suppliers or fellow franchisees for help and assistance 

Eden Exchange
Tell us about any hurdles you may have overcome along the way, and what have been some of your prouder moments as you’ve grown your business?

Stephen Sofer
The biggest hurdle is getting systems in place and being responsible for all aspects of your business. This is where Jim’s Pool Care helps the most. As I have grown in the business, I have been able to pass my knowledge onto new franchisees and have watched them grow their own businesses. We all feel like we are part of a team and strive to make Jim’s Pool Care a great business opportunity for all involved.

I still have my original customers from when I first started. I’ve installed gas heaters, heat pumps, filters, chlorinators and pumps, and even converted a fifteen year old pond into a sparkling swimming pool!

Eden Exchange
What’s your take on where your industry is heading? What are some key trends operators in the pool care and maintenance sector need to be aware of?

“We have franchisees from all walks of life, and from different work backgrounds.”

Stephen Sofer
There is a push for pool service technicians to be qualified. Jim’s Pool Care provide a Certificate 3 and 4 in pool and spa maintenance as part of the ‘business in a box package’. Eco pumps are being specifically developed with electricity costs in mind, helping customers to save hundreds of dollars annually. Automation is another key trend with the latest chlorinators able to control dose rates and pump speeds to ensure the pool is always balanced and filtered correctly. We will soon be able to monitor pools from home and set up alerts to advise us of equipment issues or water quality problems.

Eden Exchange
What’s the best part about your profession? What drives you to do what you do?

Stephen Sofer
I love the variety the job offers, the flexibility and tranquillity when cleaning pools. Along with regular maintenance, we install equipment from pumps, filters and chlorinators. We work with great suppliers who give us the opportunity to sell products like solar heating, where they do all the work from quoting to installation whilst paying us a good commission. Jim’s Pool Care is a unique industry where we have the opportunity to provide and install equipment and service pools for regular customers however frequently they may need. In other professions, the customer will purchase an item and then call an installer. Jim’s Pool Care work with great suppliers who offer onsite warranties and in some instances money back guarantees. This gives the franchisee and the customer the confidence to purchase their products.

The annual Jim’s Pool Care conference is an opportunity for us all to get together and learn from suppliers and key note speakers, but more importantly, meet other franchisees and learn from each other. Coming back from a conference, you are keen to put what you have learnt into practice, whether it be new sales techniques or something simple to make a cleaning process much simpler. This kind of networking really makes you feel part of the team.

 

Thank you for your time, Stephen.

About Jim’s Pool Care

Jim’s Pool Care is ready to grow and have a fantastic opportunity for servicing all over Australia – they are looking for a Franchisee who is ready for a change in their life!The Jim’s brand is recognised by 94% of Australian adults & coupled with the accrued business acumen and proven systems, your business will have an enormous head start over your competitors.

Jim’s Pool Care provides you with the opportunity to work outside, the convenience to work your own hours cleaning & servicing pools. You can be your own boss and build & manage your own business without limit.

Jim’s Pool Care will be there to help you reach your goals, with full training and ongoing support. So if you are ready to grow a successful business then they want to hear from you today.