23 years running a Jim's Antennas franchise
Key Takeaways
- Tony Dunkley transitioned from a grueling 14-hour workday as a CNC operator to owning a highly successful Jim's Antennas franchise after spotting an ad in the Daily Telegraph.
- With nearly 1,500 five-star ratings accumulated without ever asking a customer for a review, Tony proves that exceptional service speaks for itself.
- Tony's simple yet effective customer service formula revolves around four core principles: be reliable, turn up in uniform, clean up after the job, and be nice.
- Over nearly 23 years, Tony has successfully adapted his business model to include CCTV, alarms, TV wall mounts, and Starlink installations to meet changing consumer demands.
- Tony tests every new product in his own home before offering it to clients and strongly advocates for hardwired security cameras over Wi-Fi systems for better reliability.
Tony Dunkley has nearly 1,500 five-star ratings from Jim's Antennas customers, and he has never asked for one.
Tony left eight years of 14-hour days as a CNC operator after spotting a Jim's Antennas franchise for sale in the Daily Telegraph. He bought it two weeks later. Almost 23 years on, his business covers antennas, CCTV, alarms, TV wall mounts and Starlink, with two staff, including one who has stayed 15 years.
In this episode, Tony shares his customer service formula: be reliable, turn up in uniform, clean up and be nice. He talks through the shift from antennas to security, why he installs every new product in his own home first, and why hardwired cameras keep replacing Wi-Fi systems.
He clears up the myth Jim's takes 40% of every job, shares the customer who called back 21 years later, and explains why he hired his first employee on the day he started.
If you want the long view on owning a Jim's franchise, Tony has 17 more years planned and plenty to share.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Tony Dunkley been running his Jim's Antennas franchise?
Tony Dunkley has been running his Jim's Antennas franchise for nearly 23 years and plans to continue for another 17 years.
What services does Tony Dunkley's franchise offer?
While starting primarily with antennas, Tony's business now covers a wide range of services including CCTV, security alarms, TV wall mounts, and Starlink installations.
Does Jim's take 40% of every job?
No, Tony Dunkley clears up the common franchise myth by explaining how the fee structure actually works and why franchisees keep the vast majority of their earnings.