Military Lessons Help Franchisee Expand his Team, Trucks and Service Area
Serving in the U.S. Navy for 23 years taught The Grounds Guys franchise owner James O’Brien (above with family) some important lessons: Adapt to situations as they change, take care of the people you are responsible for and learn to do more with less. O’Brien has put those lessons into practice in running his business based in Jacksonville, Fla. “My experience in the Navy prepared me to get the job done at all costs,” he says.
With his can-do approach to business and strong work ethic, he has grown his franchise from the two employees he started with in 2019 to more than 30 workers today. His operation in Jacksonville Beaches, Northside, and Yulee, Fla. now requires 12 trucks, rather than the single truck that he had in the beginning, and he plans to buy three more trucks this year.
“Last year, I grew the business 52%, and this year I am looking to do the same,” he says. “I have already purchased two other territories, so my area is large. I’m looking to saturate some areas and expand my footprint throughout the city.”
When O’Brien decided to open a business, he opted for a franchise because he wanted a company that was already well established. “I didn’t want to start from the bottom and re-create the wheel,” he says. And because he loves working outside and seeing different job sites daily, he realized that The Grounds Guys was the right opportunity for him. The Grounds Guys was started by a group of brothers nearly 40 years ago and then became part of the Neighborly network of home services franchise companies in 2010. Today, The Grounds Guys has grown to more than 200 locations across the U.S. and in Canada but has kept the same focus on customer satisfaction that the company has had since its beginning.
Year Round-Services
The Grounds Guys offers seasonal cleanup, landscape design and maintenance, hardscape design and installation, power washing, snow removal and ice management services, as well as landscape lighting, including holiday lighting. These year-round services allow franchisees to build long-term customer relationships with recurring revenue streams.
Comprehensive training ensures that franchisees get their businesses off to a good start, and operational guidance and marketing support help franchise owners succeed.
“They have a marketing team that does as much or as little as you want,” O’Brien says, “and they have buying power that helps me daily. Because we are part of a national brand, we have a program that allows me to buy mowers, trucks and supplies at a big discount. The Grounds Guys provides so much support, guidance, education and financial advice weekly. My success is their priority.”
Ongoing Support
Open communication with the corporate office has been crucial to the growth of his franchise. “I can pick up the phone at any time and reach the right person to talk through anything in my business,” he says. “They communicate well and often. I cannot express how much value I receive from the front office. I would not be where I am today without the assistance and guidance from Neighborly.”
Managing his team is both the most challenging part of his job and the most fulfilling. “My biggest hurdle is staffing, finding the right person for the team,” he says. He considers the positive culture he has created as one of the most important aspects of his business and is careful in his hiring to avoid negative disruptions to the operation.
On the plus side, witnessing the growth of his employees is deeply gratifying. “The most rewarding part of being a business owner is watching my employees achieve things they thought were out of reach,” he says. “We love seeing the potential in people and helping them achieve their goals or reach milestones they didn’t think they could reach.”
Learn about The Grounds Guys franchise opportunity.
