Interview with Brett Blair, GM and Australian Divisional Franchisor for Jim’s Pool Care

Australians love to host a party, and one of our favourite ways to keep the masses entertained is to throw on the togs and have a splash in the pool. Be it a birthday, a casual barbecue or a beautiful hot Christmas day, Aussies everywhere want to show off the crystal-clear waters of their pools. But when it comes time to make sure those pools look their best, they also want to keep their hands clean, and call in the experts.

Jim’s Pool Care, a proud member of the Franchise Council of Australia, provides quality pool cleaning, maintenance and supplies Australia wide. To find out more about the lifestyle of a Jim’s Pool Care owner and the growth story of the company, Eden Exchange spoke with Brett Blair, GM and Australian Divisional Franchisor for Jim’s Pool Care.

Eden Exchange
Thanks for speaking with us Brett. Can you tell us about your background and career? Why did you get in to franchising? How long have you been at Jim’s Pool Care and how did you first get involved with the company?

Brett Blair
My background was in IT and project management. We moved to Brisbane and I was getting sick of commuting to the city and we were about to start a family. I wanted to work for myself and be local so I could be close to home as we raised our children. I just knew that I had to get into business for myself and thought that Jim’s were the best at franchising so looked at them. I really liked Jim’s Pool care at the time as it gave me multiple streams of income from servicing, chemicals and pool equipment. So I bit the bullet, left my job and the rest is history. I was so happy with the whole process I bought the company, the Jim’s Pool Care Division. Once I purchased the Division I got off the tools and sold my mobile business to focus on improving the Jim’s Pool Care system. That’s where I have put my energy for the last eight years.

Eden Exchange
What areas do you specialise in?

Brett Blair
Our team do everything pool related. From a one off-pool cleaning, equipment repairs and sales, right through to arranging solar pool heating for customers. That’s the beauty of our model. You can choose how far you want to go with it and what you want to focus on.

Eden Exchange
What advice do you have for someone looking to run a franchise for the first time? What’s the key message you tell new franchisees?

Brett Blair
Just relax and do your research and due diligence. Ask as many questions as you need answered to feel comfortable. Ensure you speak with other franchisees in the system and try and get out for a day on the road to see the business first hand. Ask questions about marketing and the volume of work generated by the system versus how much the local franchisee does. Ask about training and support. Are there regular monthly meetings where you can learn from others?  Franchising is all about learning from each other so you can get to your goals faster with fewer steps.

Eden Exchange
Can you tell us about the training you underwent in order to run your own franchise? After that, what ongoing support is offered?

Brett Blair
The training model has evolved. We now do more on the road and pool side training than ever before. This is where people learn. We still have classroom training and pool school but practical training is important. Along with attending Jim’s Head Office for three days and completing our Pool School, all new franchisees are required to complete a ten day on the road log book where they get all the pool side skills. Once started, we are always only a phone call away. New franchisees have a network of other contacts, franchisees, franchisors and suppliers they can call.

Eden Exchange
As well as cleaning and maintenance services, Jim’s Pool Care also offers a large variety of equipment to customers. Is this part of what makes Jim’s Pool Care stand out from other pool-related franchises?

Brett Blair
I think in any business you need a few income streams. Pool servicing is is great. It is regular recurring income which is what makes a great business and why so many are attracted to Pool Care. However, lucrative equipment sales definitely help all franchisees. Our top performers help customers and make more money from our great pool and spa industry. This does not mean it is easy. We train our franchisees in partnership with our suppliers to be educated on the latest pool equipment and technology so that they in turn can educate their customers on the best options for their pools.

Eden Exchange
In your opinion, what makes for a successful Jim’s Pool care franchise owner? Is it experience, attitude or something else?

Brett Blair
Attitude is vital to being successful in life or business. We can teach any new franchisee the technical and business skills required to be successful in their Jim’s Pool Care franchise; but if they don’t have the right attitude and enthusiasm to be the best they can be, it may be difficult to reach their goals.

Eden Exchange
What major industry trends should franchise buyers and sellers be looking out for? What’s your take on where the pool supplies and services industry in Australia is heading?

Brett Blair
The big trend in business management is around technology and how you connect and stay in touch with your customers and potential customers. This includes ensuring you utilise the latest cloud based accounting, informational websites with social media, and have clear social media engagement strategies.

With regards to the pool industry, there are huge changes in the space around pool automation but the bonus for all our Jim’s Pool Care franchisees is that the service industry continues to grow. Automation systems need to be sold, installed, managed and maintained and we are in a prime position to move forward with this when the market place embraces it. I am also a big believer in supporting the industry that supports so many.

Everyone in Jim’s Pool Care knows the value they are providing and what’s involved in running a business. I want them to all be paid accordingly for their skills and effort. To support this we have been working with SPASA Australia and National Training providers to get our team skilled up with the National Accreditation for our industry. I really believe the more our industry members get behind movements such as SPASA Australia and raising the bar around education and qualifications the better it will be for all involved. Our industry and demand for skilled operators will grow even further when this gets serious traction. I have been speaking regularly with other major players in this space and we are all on the same page, which is great.

Eden Exchange
What are some of the challenges you’ve overcome since purchasing your franchise? On the other side, what are some of the key achievements you are proud of?

Brett Blair
The biggest challenge initially was getting out of my comfort zone to try new things and understand that it does not hurt to ask someone for their business and they say no. You just learn and move on to the next quote, customer and job. My time management was not the best when I first started. I would spend so long at each job ensuring the pool was perfect that it affected my ability to complete my scheduled jobs for the day. I then spent time with more experienced Pool technicians and soon I was doing the same great job in half the time.

What I am proud of is the team of Jim’s Pool Care Franchisees we have nationally. The majority are very engaged, attend meetings, our conferences and supplier trainings. Our theme this year was ‘Being the Best in the Business”. Those who attended really got what that meant after the four day conference in Perth. All business owners need to follow the systems, listen to each other, grow when opportunities arise and learn each day so that they can give themselves every chance to be a successful business owner. I believe at Jim’s Pool Care we create that environment.

Eden Exchange
What’s the best part of your job? What are your short-term and long-term goals, both on a personal level and in a business sense?

Brett Blair
I love hearing success stories from the Franchisees who are out there every day having a real go and making customers happy through great service and advice. I love hearing how buying a Jim’s Pool Care business has changed their lives, how they get to see more of their family and be there for those special moments. I still get stories from Franchisees who are earning more than they imagined, through hard work and commitment, and still have full control over their work week, holidays and family time. The best part of my job is working with those in my franchisor team and franchisees who are doing their best at supporting our great system and delivering the best possible pool service in Australia.

We will reach one hundred franchisees this year all going to plan. That has been my goal for the last five years. My goal over the next four years is to then reach one hundred and fifty as I believe there are still huge growth opportunities for new, existing and potential Jim’s Pool Care Franchise owners.

Eden Exchange
Thanks for your time Brett.

 

About Jim’s Pool Care

Looking for a new challenge and want to become your own boss? Nothing could be easier than owning your own franchise business with Jim’s. We will provide you with equipment, full training and ongoing support to help you with your journey to success.

With over 3,500 franchisees across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, the Jim’s Group is a recognised and trusted brand. Our franchisees enjoy the flexibility, lifestyle, income and ability to control their own time with their business.

If you’re interested to find out more or are thinking about becoming a Franchisee with Jim’s Pool Care speak to us today to discuss how the Jim’s family could be right for you. Jim’ Pool Care are there to help you succeed, call 131 546 today or fill in our Franchise Enquiry Form.