Simon Simoudis: The Quiet Craftsman with Big Dreams

 We come into contact with so many people every day, and we don’t even remember most the very next day. But then there are exceptions. Some, although seemingly very ordinary, leave a lasting impression on our memories. This happened to us last year.

I live with my family in Victoria, south-east Australia. Last year, we needed someone to renovate our kitchen. And we were looking for a carpenter best suited for the job. Our neighbor knew a man named Simon Simoudis who used to make cabinets,  and he recommended Simon for the work.

My wife and I, like most households, had different views about how our renovated kitchen would look. While she wanted a sleek, modern look, I craved a classic timber design. And our dilemma was put to rest by Simon, who found a way that would keep both me and my wife happy.

Simon Simoudis seemed very quiet, calm, and composed. His presence in the house didn’t make any of us uncomfortable, the way you normally would feel with strangers. Especially when that person had to work in your kitchen, being in contact with every person in the family all the time.

He seemed very confident about his craft. And what struck me was his willingness to listen more and to understand exactly what we wanted. He would ask questions to understand more about our requirements. Never once did I feel that he tried to impose his opinion on us.

Our 10-year-old daughter, Tara, had become very fond of him. She would always wander around the kitchen once she came back from school, or was done playing with her friends. She was very curious about how Simon was doing things. She would ask lots of questions, sometimes very funny ones like, “Do you ever make secret doors like in spy movies?”. Instead of getting annoyed, Simon would always answer every query with a gentle smile. Never ever did he make Tara feel unwelcome. He would tell her how furniture was mere “grown-up Lego”.

Over the week, we got to know more about Simon Simoudis. He told us about his dream of opening a men’s beauty parlour. At first, I was a bit surprised. How on earth would a cabinetmaker think of becoming a beauty entrepreneur? But then I realized that he already had those traits, like patience, attention to detail, aesthetic sense, and the passion to create something unique and beautiful. Yes, he would surely become a good beautician.

Simon Simoudis finished our kitchen beautifully. We were impressed with his quality of work. And even more touched by his gentle behaviour.

I do not doubt that his men’s grooming venture will be a success if he brings even half the care, passion, and professionalism into that business as he did into our kitchen. Victoria’s in for something truly special.

So here’s to Simon Simoudis, the cabinetmaker, dreamer, and one of the most grounded, thoughtful people we've had the pleasure of welcoming into our home.