Jim's Book: The Surprising Story of Jim Penman - Australia's Backyard Millionaire

by Moolenschot

Meet the man and uncover the story behind one of Australia’s most recognised brands We all know Jim’s. Maybe you just passed a Jim’s Mowing trailer on the road; or maybe there’s a Jim’s Cleaning van parked across the street each Tuesday morning; or maybe your best mate is laughing all the way to the bank after quitting the city and starting his new Jim’s Fencing franchise, but do you know the real story behind the Jim’s Group and its founder, Jim Penman? Brutally efficient, socially awkward, and a tireless perfectionist, Jim is as complex and fascinating as the Jim’s Group. This book is a warts-and-all look at his colourful life that delves deep into how he ignored conventional thinking to turn a few mowing rounds into a corporate juggernaut built on always putting the customer first. Jim’s unique approach revolutionised Australia’s business landscape, providing thousands of people the opportunity to create and grow their own businesses. Most Australians know very little about the man who created one of the nation’s most famous companies. For all of his success, Jim is remarkably unassuming and approachable . In this authorised biography, author Catherine Moolenschot sat down with Jim and over one hundred people who know him ― from franchisees and franchisors, to family, friends, and adversaries ― to get up close and personal with the surprising story of one of Australia’s biggest brands and the man who made it all happen. Jim’s Book tells the fascinating story of the man and the business that bears his name. Equal parts biography, history and philosophy, this book takes readers on a journey through one man’s remarkable life.

Genres: Business

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2019

Reviews

[Lauren Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting and good insight into Jim.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brutally honest look at the life of "Jim", the face every Australian will recognise from his mowing/painting/dog wash/cleaning businesses.

Up until about a month again I thought "Jim" was a made up persona. But my neighbour met him once and said he was "real", so when I saw this book in the library a week later it was a must read.

The book is a full biography of his life and how his back yard mowing business grew, and failed, and grew and failed, and grew and grew (and failed) and grew some more.

Definitely a story of rising from your mistakes and trying once more!

[Emma Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the book. What I didn't know is Jim holds a PHD and is gives huge donations to research project so that was surprising.
If you're considering buying into a franchise, then this book is a must read.
There were snippets of Jim's life but I would have like to read more about Jim and how he made it to where he is today, rather than the 'Jims' business and events throughout its history.
Overall, I think Aussies will learn something about this national icon if they have a read of this book.

[Hamish Downie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think if you are interested in buying a franchise, then this is a good overview, but it's like a multi-vitamin - not enough of anything. It does show him in a fairly honest light, but I think I'd rather read an unauthorised biography.

[Don Main · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good biography about Jim but was more focused on his enterprises than his life in a way however well balanced w positive and negative reviews about Jim. Only reason lower rating more business orientated and in depth into Jim's business ventures not my preferred reading but 3.5 stars still.

[Annie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, did get repetitive.

[Scott Creswick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Réally enjoyed this one and funnily enough can relate to Jims character in more ways than one. Ive always enjoyed mowing lawns I might éven considèr buying a franchise!

[Lewis Trickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at how Jims became to be. Quite a fascinating read.

[Jackson Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The surprising story of Jim Penman” Is the perfect title.

I started reading the book with hopes for this to be an informative business related book and so in that sense I feel like I missed out. In saying that, I couldn’t put the book down, Jim as a person, he’s business and his story in general is fascinating!

[ˋ°•☆&;josie.ೃ࿐ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this entire book in about three or four hours.

Jim is a fascinating man, I find myself far more interested in his research than the business that funds it, a sentiment I believe he would agree with.