In this episode, we spend a full day on the road with Michael Becker from Jim’s Test & Tag and Fire Safety to show what the business actually looks like in the real world.

You’ll see a mix of factory and office test-and-tag work, fire extinguisher servicing, emergency and exit light checks, and how compliance work is delivered on-site. Michael also shares his journey from engineering into franchising, what the training and support are really like, and the practical realities of building a strong B2B client base.

If you’re curious about Jim’s Test & Tag, this interview gives you a clear, no-fluff look at the model, the work, and the opportunity.

Absolutely. Here are clean YouTube chapter timestamps you can paste in:

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Intro. Day on the road with Jim’s Test & Tag
00:45 Michael’s background. From engineer in Thailand to franchising
01:53 Why he chose Test & Tag and Melbourne South East
02:26 Team size, mentoring newer franchisees, and region demand
03:48 How training works. Jim’s systems + technical + on-road support
05:17 Why Jim’s training is more comprehensive than a basic ticket
05:30 Network and culture. Help from franchisees across Australia
06:48 Earning potential and lifestyle (without 60-70 hour weeks)
08:05 Business development basics. Visibility and local outreach
09:37 First job walkthrough. Factory testing process begins
10:04 Equipment setup. Tester, database, barcode workflow
11:37 On-site in warehouse. Chargers, three-phase checks, compliance
12:51 Test frequency explained (6 months vs 12 months to 5 years)
13:41 Safety-first process and what happens when items fail
15:32 Customer service vs “tag-only” operators who skip real testing
17:04 Office vs warehouse productivity. How test volumes differ
18:08 Risk, duty of care, and why proper testing matters
19:06 Standardised systems and how work sharing between franchisees works
20:16 Repeat client callback. Real example of recurring demand
21:20 Who this business suits (and what people underestimate)
22:25 First 12 months reality. Nerves, confidence, and momentum
24:28 Longevity and flexibility. Why this model can be a long-term fit
24:47 Fee model explained. Fixed fees + variable lead fees
26:03 Retention strategy. Why keeping clients is the key
27:03 Revenue mix. Test & Tag + Fire Safety together
29:22 Lithium extinguisher discussion and practical fire advice
30:33 Scaling with help. Hiring support and managing overflow
33:17 Territories, lead flow, and priority system explained
36:23 Startup costs, vehicle expectations, and setup basics
37:11 Fire safety job walkthrough. Extinguishers + emergency lights
40:41 Exit light discharge test demo and battery failure example
42:09 Correct extinguisher placement and critical safety logic
44:31 Fire revenue share and route-density advantage
46:11 Lifestyle benefits and flexibility with family life
47:16 Common prospect questions. Cost, income, and what you put in
49:02 Lead value reality. Small jobs vs big wins over time
50:32 Dentist job example. On-site defects and replacement advice
52:04 Biggest challenge. Admin discipline, invoicing, and backend systems
53:05 Learning curve. What’s easy, what takes time
54:39 Mandatory sectors and where demand is strongest
55:20 Who can do this business. Backgrounds, mindset, and attitude
56:24 Holidays, client coverage, and team support
56:30 Husband-wife/flexible work angle and female opportunity

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Jim’s Group is Australia and New Zealand’s largest home services brand with over 580 divisions. Our franchisees complete 5 million+ jobs every year.

Here’s what you’ll find here:

Straight advice from Jim Penman on business and franchising

Franchisee success stories and behind-the-scenes insight

Practical how-to guides for home and business services

We’re also recruiting. In 2024 alone, 245,000+ leads went un-serviced. If you want guaranteed work, full training, and the backing of Jim’s, we’d love to hear from you.

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