After years working in corporate careers in Canberra, Matt and Dani Jamieson wanted something different: a business of their own, a move to Queensland's Sunshine Coast and a lifestyle that would take them beyond the office.

In 2022, they became Coochie HydroGreen franchise owners, returning to a brand they'd first encountered more than 20 years earlier.

Three and a half years later, they'd reached the franchise network's High Rollers status, expanded their team and started planning further growth.

In this episode of Franchise Everything, Matt and Dani share their journey into franchise ownership, the challenges of building a lawn care business, and how their previous careers helped prepare them for business ownership.

Key Takeaways

• How Matt and Dani Jamieson transitioned from corporate careers in property law and public service to owning a Coochie HydroGreen franchise.
• Why they left Canberra for Queensland's Sunshine Coast in search of a different lifestyle and business ownership.
• How a connection with Coochie HydroGreen more than 20 years earlier eventually led them to become franchise owners in 2022.
• How they achieved Coochie HydroGreen's High Rollers status within three and a half years of starting their business.
• The role of franchise training, ongoing support and collaboration with fellow franchisees in helping them grow.
• The challenges of hiring their first employee, expanding their team and transitioning from working in the business to working on it.
• How their previous corporate leadership and management experience helped them develop their business.
• Their plans to expand with additional vehicles, employees and potentially more franchise territories.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction to Matt and Dani Jamieson and their Coochie HydroGreen franchise journey

1:10 – From property law and public service to business ownership

3:05 – Operating a Coochie HydroGreen franchise on the Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains

6:15 – Why they wanted to leave corporate careers for an outdoor lifestyle

7:04 – Their first introduction to Coochie HydroGreen over 20 years ago

8:22 – Why they initially decided against buying a Coochie HydroGreen franchise

9:28 – Evaluating the Sunshine Coast franchise territory and its growth potential

10:12 – Making the transition from corporate employment to franchise ownership

11:29 – Achieving High Rollers status after three and a half years

12:45 – The importance of franchise training, support and fellow franchisees

14:35 – How the franchise structure supports collaboration and protects their investment

15:22 – Learning the technical skills of running a lawn care business

17:05 – Hiring their first employee and learning to work on the business

18:50 – Expanding the business with another truck and additional staff

19:08 – Dani's role in managing the operations behind the growing business

19:56 – Applying corporate leadership and management experience to franchise ownership

20:16 – Future growth plans: more trucks, employees and potential additional territories

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