Not only is Godmands Kitchens a client of Blue Amber Bookkeeping, but our family has used their services on many occasions. When we lived in Illawong, they fitted out our laundry, our wardrobes, and installed a new kitchen. At the Blue Amber office, they completed the entire kitchen area and shelving for desks, and we plan to use them again for our new office fit out later this year.
When we moved to Miranda, they handled the installation of wardrobes and laundry, and they will be fitting a new kitchen next year. They also did a complete kitchen fit out at my sister’s house in St Ives. I simply wouldn’t use anyone else – their quality is spectacular. They don’t settle for anything less, and neither do I, so we get along just great.
Welcome to the Spotlight, Tim and Scott – please tell us a little about your business.
“We specialise in custom-made joinery for both residential and commercial markets. While we’re known as Godmands Kitchens, our work goes far beyond kitchens. We design and build wardrobes, TV units, laundries, wall panelling, and more. On the commercial side, we’ve worked on projects for Bendigo Bank, Sydney Airport (including check-in counters and the transit lounge), and service centre fit outs for Toyota and Lexus. Whether it’s a family home or a major corporate space, we bring the same level of craftsmanship and care.”
How did your business start?
“Our journey began with separate apprenticeships at different companies. We knew each other through family and mutual friends, and in 2006, we ended up working together at the same business. Just a few months in, we built our first kitchen together in Scott’s aunt’s living room – and that’s when we realised we had something special.
By 2007, we officially teamed up and took a leap of faith, forming a partnership, and in 2008, we became a registered company. We started small, renting a shed on Taren Point Road for $250 a week (without a lease, just in case it didn’t work out). But it did work out. Within a year, we outgrew the space and moved to Kirrawee. Eight years ago, we expanded again, adding a second factory unit. Our journey from humble beginnings to a thriving business is a testament to our commitment, resilience, and the power of taking risks to follow your dreams.”
What has your journey been like?
“Overall, it’s been a really positive journey. Neither of us could imagine working for someone else again. While people often warn against going into business with a partner, our success comes down to mutual respect of each other’s space and strengths. We each run our own jobs but come together to make joint decisions. That balance has been key to our success and longevity.”
What has been your favourite part of the journey?
“Seeing the business grow and evolve – building something we’re genuinely proud of. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the results of your hard work come to life – and last.”
What is it like working with a business partner, and how do you define your roles?
“Honestly, neither of us could do this alone. It gives us the freedom to take a break or go on holiday, knowing things will keep ticking over. We’ve naturally fallen into distinct roles over time – Scott leans more into commercial projects, while Tim handles more residential work. Often, it also comes down to which of us has the closer relationship with the builder. It’s a flexible setup that plays to our strengths.”
How would you describe your leadership style?
“We lead by creating a supportive, accountable environment. Our team knows they can ask questions, and we’re always around to offer guidance. We’re not micromanagers, but we’re involved and keep production flowing smoothly. We give our team responsibility and trust them to deliver. That trust helps them grow and take ownership of their work, which ultimately strengthens the whole business.”
What makes your company stand out in the market?
“What truly sets us apart is our commitment to personalised, one-on-one service and an unwavering focus on quality. We take great pride in delivering outstanding results, and most of our work comes through word of mouth – a reflection of the trust and satisfaction of our clients.
When you start a project with either one of us, we ensure we stay with your job to completion. That consistency ensures clear communication, accountability, and a seamless experience from start to finish. We also instil a strong culture of excellence in our team – nothing leaves the workshop unless it’s perfect. That level of care and attention to detail is what defines us.”
What’s your purpose and vision for the future of the business?
“We’re starting to think about the future and planning for a time when we might step back. The goal is to keep the business thriving, year after year. We’ve always believed in reinvesting – especially in quality tools and equipment, and we want to leave behind a business that’s strong, innovative, and continues to deliver the same high standards our clients have come to expect.”
How would you describe your core values?
“Honesty and fairness are at the heart of everything we do. We quote honestly, we work honestly, and we treat people fairly. We must be doing something right, because most of our work comes through referrals. We believe if we dedicate ourselves to doing good work, and the work will keep coming.”
What drives you every day?
“Success is a huge driver – and yes, that includes financial success. We won’t pretend we’re not workaholics, because we probably are! We take great pride in doing things right, in holding high standards, and in building something we can be proud of.”
What feels most important about the service you provide?
“Happy clients. Seeing a client so happy and thrilled with the finished product means everything to us. It’s the best sign that we’ve done our job right.”
What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
“Two standouts are customer expectations and staffing. One of the most high-pressure jobs we’ve ever tackled was installing a bar at the Harbour Rocks Hotel, while movers were coming in and a party was being prepped. A damaged brass inlay nearly derailed everything, but we kept calm, focused, and made it right.
Finding skilled, dedicated team members is also a challenge. There’s a generational shift in expectations today – some younger workers want quick money without putting in the groundwork. Communication can also be a hurdle, especially when expectations aren’t aligned. That said, we’ve had some great hires through word of mouth and social connections.”
What advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?
“Be realistic and go in with your eyes open. Stay adaptable and things don’t work, pivot. We’ve never had to formally let someone go – just honest conversations and a civilised parting of ways when it’s not the right fit. It’s all about handling things with respect and clarity.”
What innovations in your industry excite you the most?
“The biggest game-changer for us was getting our CNC machine. It completely transformed how we work – speeding up production, improving precision, and making us far more efficient. At the time, it was a big financial stretch, but looking back, we wish we’d done it sooner. We’re already thinking about upgrading in the next few years, as the newer models are even faster and more advanced. Honestly, if you were starting out in this industry today, a CNC machine would be essential. That said, one of the biggest challenges in our industry is the high initial investment. You need space, machinery, vehicles – there are a lot of overheads.
Still, we’re in a good place – we’ve found a rhythm that works. we’re busy, we’re profitable, and we’re proud of what we’ve created.”
we’d love to ask a few questions about the service we provide to you…
Firstly, can you tell us what were you looking for in a bookkeeping service?
We are not tech savvy, computer smart or accounting smart. Deb (Scott’s wife) was doing the bookkeeping with quarterly help from Lucy. Then Deb became a nurse, so we had to either employ or outsource.
What made you choose Blue Amber?
Your reputation. We already knew Lucy from BNI and she was already working with us to help Deb.
How would you describe the value of our product/service in one sentence?
Invaluable. It’s so nice not having to worry about that side of the business because it’s something you just can’t afford to neglect. Blue Amber has simplified it, so Tim can just go into Xero once a week and pay the bills. The system works really well, if our regular bookkeeper, Nikki is not there, someone else can pick it up and do complete our work with the exact same result.
How have we helped you be more successful in your business.
Moving us from MYOB to XERO was a huge help – Xero is so easy to navigate.
We don’t need to worry about the books at all – we just ask for it to be done and it’s done! Working with you allows us to focus on our role – to get work in the door, through the factory to get it out the door efficiently. Blue Amber’s role is to make things as seamless as possible, with weekly updates from Nikki to keep us informed and involved.
It’s so great to enjoy such a mutually beneficial partnership with a client, and I love that we trust each other enough to use and recommend each others’ services time and again. Keep up the amazing work, guys. Wishing you the continued success you deserve.
You can find more about Godmands Kitchens HERE