For a business owner to succeed in the residential building industry, it’s essential for them to manage a gamut of tasks that are both physically and mentally demanding. This is often challenging and exhausting, but many members have recognised a simple solution – creating a husband-and-wife (or de facto) business partnership to share the load.

While a couple usually has shared goals for the future, when in business together they must manage financial and personal pressures. After all, being together 24 hours a day can be stressful even for the most solid of marriages. 

HIA members Jenny and Ante Matek, who run AM Bathrooms + Projects in Sydney, are well-aware of the pros and cons of running a business. While Ante operated his tiling business for more than two decades, Jenny was working as a national sales manager for a retail company, as well as running her interior design firm, Jenny Matek Design. She also worked as a business operations manager for various building companies. 

After their children grew up, Jenny and Ante found they had extra time to expand his business. They used their different skillsets to rebrand and revitalise, converting AM Bathrooms into AM Bathrooms + Projects.

‘We didn’t consider this until our kids were in high school,’ Jenny explains. ‘But during that time, we were building houses for ourselves – selling, renovating and moving. We recognised our different strengths.’

While the Mateks could see the value of building their own business, they knew there were a few sensitivities that needed to be ironed out.

‘We thought we wouldn’t work well together in the early days,’ Jenny recalls. ‘We’d butt heads during our own renovations because we were working hard and living through it, as well as caring for the kids. We didn’t have the patience to talk things out.’

One-stop shop

When Jenny joined Ante’s bathroom business as an interior design and project manager, she completed a Certificate 4 diploma in building and construction through TAFE, and considered getting a builder’s licence. However, she soon realised her skills were client- and management-based. Working closely with Ante, she rebooted AM Bathrooms + Projects by focusing on providing a holistic service.

‘We now offer a one-stop shop when building a new bathroom or undertaking a full renovation,’ Jenny says. ‘Ante and I both understand that renovating can be stressful. We both value excellent customer service and outstanding workmanship. I have a good rapport with clients as I value their investment in their homes.’ 

Jenny is committed to ensuring a smooth and comprehensive design and selections process. ‘We go onsite with peace of mind there’s no rock left unturned in the pre-site process,’ she says. ‘At this stage, the client is up to speed and has made most of the difficult decisions with the help of our team. This allows for a stress-free renovation.’

Jenny clearly explains all the steps so clients are involved without slowing down the process. ‘They don’t need to worry about anything. This one-stop shop takes a lot of work in preparation, but it’s the most successful way of getting the job done.’

As the business expanded, Jenny was conscious they didn’t grow too quickly. ‘We made sure we focused on the clients we wanted to work with, who we go above and beyond for. We treat each project like it’s our own home and money being invested.’

Small business support

When Jenny was reconfiguring AM Bathrooms + Projects into a full renovation business, she needed help with various aspects. 

‘I’d come from a career that included managing major projects, dealing with different departments, and following procedures. Now we were completely relying on each other, so we needed to improve many of our systems.’

To solve some of these issues, Jenny turned to HIA for guidance. After attending building seminars and workshops, she was put in contact with Katherine Grace, a HIA trainer who runs Elemental Solutions. Katherine offers peer-to-peer coaching, online learning material, video content and – according to Jenny – much more.

‘I call Katherine my marriage coach,’ she quips. ‘Ante and I were clashing as the business was growing and we were working long hours. The coaching sessions offered us a variety of strategies. We now take a minute to step back; we keep in our separate lanes. I don’t go onsite and tell Ante how things should be done, and he doesn’t come into the office to tell me what to do. We have the same vision for our clients and work to the same high standard.’

As well as embracing business coaching, Jenny was introduced to a builders’ group, which supports HIA members who operate small businesses.
‘HIA is there to help. I didn’t realise how much support it offers small businesses,’ she says. 

Jenny has been a pivotal force in the growth of AM Bathrooms + Projects, matching her passion for design with her personable manner and organisational skills. She was recognised with the 2023 HIA Australian Small Business Management award, sponsored by HIA Insurance Services, for her ability to improve the business’ structure, processes, communications and marketing, finances, sales and project management.

‘When running a business, there’s always room for improvement,’ Jenny says, who also joined the HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms committee in 2023 to network and contribute. 

‘I learn so much from other members at HIA committees. As the industry changes, it’s important to get feedback from everyone and share what’s important to our business.’

On the same page 

So, what’s Jenny’s advice when a couple decides to take the leap and run their own business together?

‘You need to be aligned in your goals – that’s number one,’ she says. ‘You both need to have the same ethical method in mind. To keep your marriage sane, you need to remember you’re both working for the same thing.

‘It helps to treat each other like you would be a client,’ continues Jenny. ‘Book in management meetings with yourselves, and don’t miss it. After all, you wouldn’t miss a client meeting. Follow an agenda and reward yourselves with a nice dinner. This has really helped us be more organised.’

And according to Jenny, there’s one other valuable tip that has kept their marriage thriving.

‘We recently opened an office up the road so I’m not working from home,’ she says. ‘In the early days, we’d work every night after dinner. It was hard to clock off thinking I had one more thing to do. But we realised some things can wait. Now we’ve moved our computers to the office, so we have real family time each evening and a nice break. That’s been a game-changer for the whole family.’ 

First published on 22 November 2023