Reviewed by Michael Watkins, Founder
Published 18 June 2026 · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
There is a big difference between buying a job and building a local business.
For many people considering franchise ownership, the goal is not simply to own a machine. It is to build a business that can grow over time, create opportunities, and eventually provide greater freedom and flexibility.
Diggermate Flagstaff Hill is a good example of what that growth can look like in practice.
Building a Fleet That Stands Out
One of the ways the Flagstaff Hill team has grown its business is by continually expanding and improving its fleet to suit local customer demand.
Among their equipment is an electric mini excavator, a unique offering that has proven popular with customers looking for quieter operation and a different experience from traditional diesel machines.
Creating points of difference like this can help a local hire business stand out in a competitive market. Customers remember businesses that provide solutions others cannot, and those positive experiences often lead to repeat hires and referrals.
The goal is not simply to own more equipment. It is to build a fleet that matches the needs of the local market and gives customers a reason to choose your business.
From One Machine to a Growing Business
Today, Diggermate Flagstaff Hill operates a fleet of 15 machines and two tip trailers, giving them 17 hire items in total.
Their growth highlights an important lesson for prospective franchisees: there is no magic number of machines that guarantees success.
Business growth depends on utilisation, local demand, operating costs, and personal goals. Some operators may be comfortable running a smaller fleet, while others choose to expand as demand increases.
What matters most is not how many machines are sitting in the yard. It is how often those machines are working.
Successful franchise owners focus on building demand first, then expanding their fleet as utilisation grows.
For Jackson and Rachel, that growth has also shown up in the numbers. Their first recorded Diggermate booking was on 8 October 2024. By April 2026, their Flagstaff Hill and Mile End locations combined for more than $53,700 in gross booking value across 87 bookings, roughly 18 months after that first booking.
Every Diggermate business is different. Some owners push hard and grow into larger multi-machine or multi-location operations. Others prefer a smaller, more flexible local business. The figures shared here are historical gross booking value examples, not profit, owner income, forecasts, or guaranteed results.
Localised Marketing Meets Local Initiative
One of the biggest challenges for independent business owners is generating consistent enquiries.
The growth story works because it is not just one thing doing the heavy lifting. Diggermate gives the local business a platform through local ad campaigns, location-specific creative, franchisee photos and videos, professional campaigns, website infrastructure, systems and brand recognition. Jackson and Rach then turned that platform into momentum by getting active in their market, looking after customers and building capacity as demand grew. That is the real combination: the Diggermate system creates the structure, and the local operator turns it into a growing business.
The Flagstaff Hill team is actively involved in local business networking through the MTX Club at Adelaide Oval. They use these relationships to connect with other businesses, strengthen customer relationships, and create experiences that go beyond a standard hire transaction.
The Value of Being Known Locally
Marketing may create the first enquiry, but relationships often create repeat business.
Businesses that consistently provide good service, stay visible within their community, and actively look after their customers are more likely to build long-term loyalty.
The Flagstaff Hill team has found that local networking and customer engagement have helped create additional hiring opportunities while strengthening their reputation within the market.
Over time, these relationships become one of the most valuable assets a business can build.
The Bigger Franchise Lesson
The growth of Diggermate Flagstaff Hill demonstrates what can happen when franchise support is combined with local ownership and initiative.
Diggermate provides the brand, marketing systems, technology, support, and franchise network. The local owner brings the customer service, local market knowledge, and commitment to building relationships.
Together, those elements create a business that can grow beyond a single machine and evolve into a scalable local operation.
For people considering a machinery hire business, the lesson is simple: growth is not just about adding equipment. It is about building demand, serving customers well, and leveraging the systems and support available to create a stronger business over time.
