Walk through the yard at ShedEx Fleurieu and there’s a good chance you’ll see him – hi-vis on, phone in one hand, coffee in the other, and a calm grin that says, “Yeah, I’ve got this.”
That’s Jim Kearns – General Manager, Construction Manager, and quietly, the beating heart of the business.
For over 18 years, Jim has been the person making sure everything – and everyone – is in the right place at the right time. Not with noise or ego, but with consistency, clarity, and the kind of common sense you just can’t teach.
From a Chance Meeting to a Lifelong Commitment
Jim’s journey to ShedEx wasn’t planned. It was sparked by a conversation at a local networking event, where founders David and Sue Schubert were talking about needing an extra set of hands. Jim got the number, made the call, and started the very next week.
“They thought they needed someone for sales,” he laughs, “but what they really needed was someone who could do a bit of everything. Turns out, that was me.”
What began as a sales role quickly morphed into something much larger. Jim didn’t just help grow the business – he became the quiet engine behind its evolution.
The Facilitator
Jim describes his role today with a touch of dry humour:
“I’m the facilitator. My job is to make it easier for everyone else to do theirs.”
From project planning and team coordination to supplier management and troubleshooting on site, Jim sees the big picture – and he makes it work.
What’s his secret?
“A healthy dose of common sense. And the ability to adapt without losing focus.”
That mindset has helped steer the business through big projects, shifting technologies, and even a global pandemic.
The Projects That Stay With You
Ask Jim about his most memorable builds and he won’t talk about square metres or price tags. Sure, he’s proud of the big jobs. But the ones that really stay with him? They’re the ones that come back.
Like the couple who built their dream shed with us ten years ago – then rang Jim last year to say they were moving to a new property and wanted the exact same team to do it all over again. No shopping around. No second quotes. Just trust.
“When someone calls you back after a decade and says, ‘We wouldn’t do this with anyone else’ – that’s the kind of project you remember,” Jim says.
His favourite jobs are the full-service ones – where ShedEx handles everything from first sketch to final fastener.
“When people trust us to take the reins, the whole thing just flows. That’s when we do our best work – and that’s when we know we’ve done something right.”
What Customers Don’t See
Most people think shed construction starts the day the first post hits the dirt. Jim knows better.
“By the time we’re on site, 90% of the work is already done,” he says.
“Approvals, materials, coordination – that’s where the real groundwork happens. What the client sees is just the final chapter.”
It’s a quiet reminder that building a shed isn’t just about steel and screws – it’s about the process, the planning, and the people who bring it all together.
Not Just a Shed
If there’s one phrase Jim hears too often, it’s “It’s just a shed.”
He grins, pauses, and replies, “If it was just a shed, you wouldn’t need us.”
For Jim, a shed is more than a structure. It’s a workshop, a business, a dream, a legacy. And building it right takes more than muscle – it takes pride.
A Legacy of Leadership
Jim doesn’t crave the spotlight. He’s happiest when the job is running smoothly and everyone’s pulling in the same direction. His leadership style is quiet, firm, and grounded in trust.
“Let it go,” he says, when asked for the one lesson that’s stuck with him the longest. “You can’t control everything. But you can control how you respond.”
That calm, clear-headed approach has earned him the respect of his team and the loyalty of ShedEx clients across the Fleurieu.
Looking Ahead
As ShedEx grows, evolves, and adapts to whatever comes next, Jim remains a cornerstone of the business. He’s not afraid of change – in fact, he welcomes it.
“The landscape can shift in a heartbeat,” he says. “We’ve got to stay flexible. What matters is keeping our standards, no matter how the tools or timelines change.”
And if you ask him what excites him about the future?
“It’s more of the same,” he says, smiling. “Because when you love what you do – and who you do it with – that’s enough.”
In Trusted Hands
Jim Kearns may not have built every shed himself, but you can bet he’s had a hand in every one. With nearly two decades under his belt and a lifetime of wisdom behind his words, he’s more than just the General Manager. He’s the glue, the guide, and the guy you want in your corner when it’s time to build something that lasts.
