In this episode of the Jim’s Group Podcast, I chat with Justin Fowler from Jim’s Pool Care (Tweed Heads/Gold Coast) about his move from running an electrical business to building a new life in pool care.

Justin shares what changed when he moved from independent operator to franchise owner, why the “behind-the-scenes” support matters more than most people realise, and how he got busy fast in his first few months. We also cover customer service, water safety, green pool recoveries, and the simple habits that separate great operators from average tradies.

If you’re thinking about a career change, starting a service business, or joining a franchise, this is a practical, honest look at what it really takes.

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:04 Meet Justin Fowler (Jim’s Pool Care, Tweed Heads)
01:21 “Better than expected” first few months
01:43 From electrician to pool care, why he changed careers
02:57 Investigation process and finding Jim’s Pool Care
03:10 Independent business vs franchise, key differences
04:26 Training in a new industry, what it actually involves
05:42 Mobile pool shop model and why speed matters
06:19 Customer service philosophy + perfect 5-star rating
07:23 “We’re in the people business” explained
08:43 Open, honest communication builds trust
09:52 Service intervals, 4-week vs 2-week clients
10:14 What a standard pool service includes
10:44 Green pool recoveries, causes and turnaround times
12:17 Lifestyle shift and enjoying the work again
13:23 Transferable skills from previous business experience
14:02 Biggest challenge, learning pool chemistry
15:03 Support network, franchisees, franchisor, and reps
16:05 Why the pool care division culture works
17:53 Franchise fees, myths vs reality
19:10 Biggest relief, focusing on customers not backend chaos
19:51 Family reaction and support for the change
20:34 Canberra vs Gold Coast lifestyle differences
22:07 Growth plans, staying lean but adding redundancy
23:39 Why customers value dealing with the owner
24:56 Franchise misconceptions from customer side
26:00 Final advice, who this business is for
27:44 Service standards that win long-term work
29:41 How to enquire about Jim’s Pool Care / Jim’s franchises
30:04 Outro

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