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The Real Biz Life Chronicles
Unedited stories of Business, Branding and Life.
Banish boring as Tracy Fryer and her guests take a ride on the rollercoaster of being a business owner - or of simply being human! Get ready to learn exactly what it takes to grow with distinction and show mediocrity the middle finger. In this podcast Tracy interview’s authentic business owners, who share their story of building a successful business, their strategies behind their success and leading the way.
RAW. Honest. Unedited.
The Real Biz Life Chronicles
#099 Relentless Mission & Meaning With Jim Penman
What happens when you build a billion-dollar business but say you’ve failed more than you’ve succeeded?
Jim Penman never set out to be a mogul. He just needed to fund his PhD in history. That $24 mowing gig became Jim’s Group, now Australia’s largest franchise brand, with 5,500+ franchisees across 50+ divisions.
Behind the beard and the brand is a story of fierce values, faith, and an unconventional mind. Jim still answers franchisee calls, invests 90% of his income into epigenetics research, and refuses to compromise on caring for people.
In this episode, we talk about principled leadership, why most of his ventures failed, the power of servant leadership, and why protecting people matters more than the value of the business.
If you’re building something bigger than yourself or are tired of playing by someone else’s rules, this one’s for you.
In This Episode:
- (04:46) The rise of Jim’s Mowing
- (08:56) Why failure is part of the process
- (20:13) Research, people, and purpose
- (27:06) Jesus’ leadership model in business
- (36:04) Supporting 5,500+ franchisees
About Jim Penman
Founder of Jim’s Group, Jim has grown a $24 side hustle into a billion-dollar empire while staying deeply hands-on. He is a passionate researcher, author, father of ten, and a leader driven by mission.
Connect: jimpenman.com.au | jim@jims.net | jimsmowing.net
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About Tracy:
Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success.
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