ACN. 101 925 268

ABN. 82. 101 925 268

48 Edinburgh Rd

Mooroolbark Vic 3138

Media Release20 December 2017

WHY TINO GROSSI WON’T RETIRE AGAIN

AND WHAT HE SEES IN THE JIM’S GROUP

Tino Grossi is an unforgettable larger than life character – with an equally compelling story.

Having been born and raised on Aussie farms, Tino pursued horticultural studies after finishing Year 11 at technical school. This experience ultimately led to his success as the co-creator of broccolini and bambini broccolini in 1995. He was selling 6000 cases per week and the consequent royalties afforded him the luxury of early retirement in 2011. He embraced the prospect of a lifetime of leisure, however within 12 months he was bored and sought the next business challenge.

Tino had a friend working with Jim’s Skip Bins who encouraged him to join Jim’s Group, so he enquired and liked what he saw in the business and its people.

Following introductions to Founder and CEO, Jim Penman, Tino took on a franchisor role for the Eastern Region of Skip Bins. Jim's Skip Bins offers a huge range of skip bins available for short and long-term hire and ranging from 2 to 8 metres in size.Within nine months the group of franchisees had grown from 11 to 16. He purchased a large factory and turned it into a transfer station which proved to create great stability and success for the group.

He started the role with the intention of working 6 hours per week, and with his entrepreneurial spirit thriving he created positive growth changes that his group valued, including proudly becoming the first Division to recycle between 50-60 per cent of its waste.

The Midas touch

In January 2014, Tino became the Divisional Manager of the Skip Bins Group which fast grew from 51 to 65 franchisees and currently includes 71 franchisees. In mid 2014, Tino took on Jim’s Pest Control which was demanding changes from its 49 franchises. He grew the business by 10-12 per cent and to 65 franchisees within a relatively short period.

By February 2015, Tino took on a full-time role but refused to take on the title of Chief Operating Officer as he believed the proof was in his effort and results rather than his title.

In mid 2017, Tino has accepted his title as he now accepts the value of his contribution as much as Jim Penman and the group. This year he travelled to Canada and the United Kingdom as he is focused on national and international growth. His most recent trip was doubled with a trip to Sardinia and Fondi to stay with relatives and to enjoy life and the fruits of his labour.

Tino’s proudest achievements with the Jim’s Group include:

  • Helping Jim’s Cleaning Group leadership grow from good to great;
  • Creating growth in the Jim’s Mowing Division;
  • Changing the fee structure for Jim’s Diggers which is now moving in leaps and bounds, and
  • Overall growth within the Jim’s Group from 2% to 5%.

“The reason I do this work is simple. I don’t do it for the money – I enjoy helping others succeed. I get a real kick out of a franchisee build their business from $100K to $300K,” said Tino Grossi.

“My brain is too active to retire so it feels good to put it to good use. I enjoy creating unity and working as a team and while it’s financially very rewarding, my philosophy is that if you give a human a great chance, they will usually take it. I can see the ability in people and helping people excites me.

“We have full time franchisees earning from $100K to others who employ 10 people and earn $500K. The key is to love what you do. I enjoy helping people which has played a big part in my role with the Jim’s Group.”

The secret to Jim’s Groups success

Tino Grossi said the secret sauce to the Jim’s businesses is:

  • A family structured business;
  • Jim Penman is actively involved and speaks with franchisors and franchisees daily; and
  • A close tight knit group with shared values and purpose.

The entry point for a franchisee is relatively affordable. For example, a mowing franchisee starts at $26K with the earning capacity of $100K plus per year and has access to a proven formula that works which protects the business from risks.

Tino recently gathered 60 staff and franchisees from the Jim’s Skip Bins group at his home in Narre Warren for their annual Christmas party. It’s a tight knit group and a melting pot of cultures from Australian to India, Palestine, Greece, China and Turkey. The team meet every 6 weeks and by the nature of the Skips business is an all-male team of franchisees with the youngest in his early 30s.

It seems that Jim Penman and Tino Grossi are an unbeatable team with big vision and an even bigger entrepreneurial spirit they are willing to share with small business owners ready to embrace it.

About Jim’s Group

When Jim Penman studied his PhD in history, it wasn’t remotely on his radar to build a multimillion dollar global franchise business.

Jim mowed lawns part-time to make his way through university. In 1982, having failed to secure an academic post, he launched a full-time business with a marketing budget of $24, In 1989 he began franchising. By focusing relentlessly on service to Franchisees and customers, and being highly selective as to who he put on, the business grew into what is now a national brand.

From mowing lawns, to cleaning houses or installing antennas Jim's Group has over 50 Divisions and 3,800 Franchisees in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. The Group estimates that it serves more than 100,000 customers each week.

The headquarters is on a unique bush setting in Mooroolbark where franchisees regularly meet for training and business development, and in true entrepreneurial spirit the location also doubles as a popular local reception centre.

Further information

Sanna Conquest

Communications Consultant | Conquest Ink

+61 425 808 889