LIFE-CHANGING FRANCHISE EXPO SOON TO HIT MELBOURNE

There aren’t many events that you can walk away from with a new career and change of lifestyle – yet the Melbourne Franchising & Business Expo will have people from all across Victoria doing exactly that.

James’ Home Services CEO and owner Mike Dowling is one of many master franchisors who is gearing up for the Expo, being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 26 and 27 August.

“I encourage everyone to come along and learn what it means to be a small business owner,” said Mike.

“Participating in the Franchising Expo is providing our team a great opportunity to meet with people who are really interested in changing their lives and working within a business that wants to help them succeed. 

“Since I have taken over James’ you could say we’ve hit refresh, and we are eager to talk to potential franchisees about what we have been doing within the business over the past 18 months.

“We are particularly keen to meet with enthusiastic, dedicated people who are eager to move forward with their lives and make a good living. I always say that a good franchisee needs passion and energy and to be able to communicate with their customers. 

“It’s a two-way street – we’ll set you up and you can reap the results by putting in the hard work.

Sue and Elias Khattar are amongst the latest to join the James’ Home Services family in Victoria. The couple, who burnt themselves out after almost two decades running a fish and chip shop, now proudly own the James' Lawn and Gardening Maintenance Greenvale franchise.

“Eighteen years in the fish and chip shop was enough for us. We worked 12 hours a day six days a week,” Sue said.

“This time around it was important for us to be doing something we enjoyed and Elias always loved gardening. He would spend the only day he had away from the shop each week gardening. We looked at quite a few franchise groups before making our decision.”

“Some of the franchises we looked at were just too expensive and after doing all our homework we decided to go with James Home Services.

“We picked up one of the first franchises in Greenvale and within the first three months we are feeling very settled thanks to all of the training and support.

“I had never mowed a lawn in my life, or pulled out a weed, but I was keen to help in the new business. Now, I can’t see a weed without pulling it out.

“I just love being able to work with my husband and to spend time together outside in the fresh air.”

Mike Dowling knows what is required to get a business up and running – and says “the James’ team wants to work with people at the Expo and beyond to help them choose the right service for them”.

“Every franchisee has one-on-one business coaching and this encompasses everything from practical service skills, business analysis, administration and marketing,” said Mike.

“The beauty of our organisation is that we have what is called protected and privileged areas. 

“When you invest in your franchise you have your protected area that is exclusively for you in the James’ network. But in addition, should you wish to expand your area, we allow you to work within what we call privileged areas. 

“For example, if you are an interior cleaner and there isn’t a similar franchisee in an adjacent location, we offer that area to you under a privileged arrangement until another franchisee comes on board or you may choose to take on that area as a protected area.

Mike said there were eight different services within the James’ Home Services organisation.

“We sit down with you to make sure you are choosing the right service for you.

“Then we look at what is needed in your local area to help you make the right decision.”

He said Melbourne was massive market where more franchisees were needed to meet the strong demand for services.

“It’s hard to believe that more than 4.7 million people live here now and the place just continues to grow,” he said.

Potential franchisees can view one of the James’ trailer and equipment packages during the event and will have the opportunity to win a prize on the day.

James’ Home Services has been established for more than 24 years and is part of the Franchise Council of Australia.

MEDIA NOTE: To interview Mike Dowling, please contact Wings Public Relations Director Deanna Nott on 0422 504 540