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Lasting Work, Not Fast Fads: Simon Beames on True Craftsmanship
There are two distinct types of contractors in the field service world of today. There are the client focused contractors, who align closely with what a clients vision is, prioritize his requests and specifications, no matter how trendy or predictable they may be. And they are very, very compliant. And then, there is Simon Beames, of the BRITISH REMODELER and GLASS ACT MOSAICS in Colorado Springs, CO, who doesn’t do trendy AT ALL. Or predictable. What he does instead is prioritize that which is different, exciting, and above all else, unique. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Simon explains why he refuses to chase “Instagram moments,” instead focusing on creating work that is elegant, durable, and deeply personal for each client. From the fulfillment of doing things his way, to hearing about his latest venture, Glass Act Mosaics, where he’s reviving ancient artistry with a modern twist, his advice to future entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to make the jump.
About the Guest
Simon Beames
Owner
Simon Beames is the owner of The British Remodeler and Glass Act Mosaics in Colorado Springs, Colorado, bringing 25 years of tile-setting experience and a craftsman architect father's influence to creating timeless, elegant work that defies trendy design. Starting in Manchester, England in 2000 working with an Italian craftsman, Simon moved to America and spent 20 years in Colorado working with exceptional tile setters, deck builders, and cabinet makers before launching All By Design eight years ago. Frustrated with cookie-cutter modern design and "12x24 tiles on walls," he created The British Remodeler a year ago to champion unique, client-driven projects-coffered ceilings, custom mosaics, accent walls-that prioritize expression over resale value. Now launching Glass Act Mosaics to revive ancient tessera mosaic techniques (inspired partly by Bob Ross's depth perception methods translated from paint to tile), Simon represents the anti-Pinterest, anti-Instagram contractor who refuses to chase likes and instead builds legacy work meant to last decades.
Connect
Company: Glass Act Mosaics (launching)
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Services: Custom tile work, mosaics, coffered ceilings, unique remodeling rejecting trendy design
Company Overview
The British Remodeler provides custom remodeling and tile work focused on unique, timeless designs that reject modern trends in favor of elegant, durable craftsmanship that expresses each client's personal vision.
Services
- Custom tile work and mosaics (specialty)
- Coffered ceilings (multi-layered beams)
- Accent walls (wood, tile, painted designs)
- Tile art installations
- Custom remodeling projects rejecting "cookie-cutter" design
- Solo operator after scaling back from managing employees
- Selective clientele seeking unique, expressive design
- Conservative Colorado Springs market presents challenges
- Built on freedom: control schedule, knock off early, enjoy work without chasing dollars
- Recently adopted swivl for all-in-one software, website building, SEO
- Reviving ancient tessera mosaic techniques (2,000-3,000 years old)
- Focus on depth perception in mosaics (inspired by Bob Ross techniques translated to tile)
- Creating custom large-format mosaics and modular household items
- Interchangeable mosaic pieces for holidays/seasons (coasters, picture frames, kitchen items)
- Patent-pending systems allowing customers to customize
- Bridging gap between painting and mosaic-making ancient artistry accessible
Episode Summary
There are two distinct types of contractors in the field service world of today. There are the client focused contractors, who align closely with what a clients vision is, prioritize his requests and specifications, no matter how trendy or predictable they may be. And they are very, very compliant. And then, there is Simon Beames, of the BRITISH REMODELER and GLASS ACT MOSAICS in Colorado Springs, CO, who doesn’t do trendy AT ALL. Or predictable. What he does instead is prioritize that which is different, exciting, and above all else, unique. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Simon explains why he refuses to chase “Instagram moments,” instead focusing on creating work that is elegant, durable, and deeply personal for each client. From the fulfillment of doing things his way, to hearing about his latest venture, Glass Act Mosaics, where he’s reviving ancient artistry with a modern twist, his advice to future entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to make the jump.
"I don't create trends that last minutes. I create trends that last decades. And if you can't get and grasp that right away, what that means, you're not my type of client."
"I don't do boring. I don't do modern. I don't do everyday run-of-the-mill cookie cutter garbage. I'm tired of seeing 12x24 tiles on the walls. I'm tired of seeing random basic baseboard. It just gets tiring."
"You have a house, you're paying for that house, you should be able to do whatever you want and not worry about the resale value or 'well maybe I shouldn't because I might not be able to sell the house.' Who cares if you're not going to sell the house? You're living in it. So do you. You be you."
"When I first started out, I started chasing the dollar signs. The more and more I did it, the more stress you're adding on to yourself. I've aged. I look at myself six, seven years ago-the stress of running a business, having everything on your shoulders is insurmountable. But at the same time, I'm not working for anybody else. I'm working for myself."
"Don't be afraid of making the jump. If you fail, you can go back to where you were. At least you can say you tried. You're better off going through life trying than not trying and wondering. Money is not everything. If you can get a job that you love doing every day, like I have done for 25 years, you're golden. Happiness is the most important thing when it comes to work and having a business. Period. Point blank."
1. Don't Be Afraid to Make the Jump-You Can Always Go Back
- "Don't be afraid of making the jump. If you fail, you can go back to where you were. At least you can say you tried." Most people paralyze themselves with what-ifs, never attempting entrepreneurship because they fear failure. Simon's perspective: trying and failing beats wondering "what if" for your entire life. The regret of not trying hurts worse than the temporary pain of a failed venture. Take the leap-worst case, you return to where you started with valuable lessons learned.
2. Happiness Matters More Than Money-Find Work You Love
- "Get a job that you enjoy. It doesn't matter if you get paid less. Money is not everything. If you can get a job that you love doing every day, like I have done for 25 years, you're golden." Simon rejected the "make $50 million a year" myth (where you actually take home 5% profit and get paid last). Instead, he prioritized freedom-controlling his schedule, knocking off early, coasting without chasing dollars. Loving what you do for 25 years trumps grinding for money you'll never actually see.
3. Stick to Your Guns Even When It Means Fewer Jobs
- Simon's anti-Pinterest, anti-Instagram positioning means fewer clients in conservative Colorado Springs-but he refuses to compromise. "I don't do trendy. I create trends that last decades." Building your unique brand attracts the right clients even if it repels the masses. Don't round-peg square-hole yourself into work you hate just to get more jobs. The reputation you build by staying true to your vision creates lasting differentiation competitors can't replicate.
4. Scaling Isn't Always the Answer-Freedom Sometimes Means Solo
- "When I first started, I started chasing the dollar signs" with employees-but managing their bills and stress aged him visibly. Now working solo, he's "coasting" with actual freedom. Don't blindly chase growth if it destroys the lifestyle that motivated entrepreneurship in the first place. Sometimes the best business model is staying small, controlling your time, and enjoying the work rather than building an empire that imprisons you.
1. Anti-Trend Craftsmanship: Building for Decades, Not Instagram Likes
Simon embodies rejection of social media-driven design culture, refusing to create "cookie-cutter garbage" dominating modern construction. His philosophy-trends that last decades versus minutes-challenges the entire industry's obsession with Pinterest boards and Instagram moments. This positions him as craftsman-artist rather than compliance-focused contractor, attracting clients who value timeless elegance over trendy resale optimization.
2. Client Expression Over Resale Value: Building Homes, Not Investments
"You're living in it, you're paying for it-do you, be you." Simon champions homeowners expressing personal vision rather than designing for hypothetical future buyers. This philosophy fundamentally reframes residential construction from investment vehicle to personal expression canvas. Most contractors prioritize resale value and safe choices; Simon prioritizes the client actually living there, creating deeply personal work that wouldn't exist otherwise.
3. The Freedom Paradox: Scaling Down to Scale Quality of Life
Simon's journey from chasing dollars with employees to solo operation "coasting" reveals entrepreneurship's dirty secret: growth often destroys the freedom that motivated starting the business. Managing employees' bills, shouldering insurmountable stress, aging visibly-these costs of traditional scaling made him reconsider what success means. True freedom came from scaling down, controlling his schedule, knocking off early, and enjoying work without million-dollar myths.
4. Ancient Artistry Meeting Modern Application: Reviving Lost Techniques
Glass Act Mosaics represents Simon's mission reviving 2,000-3,000 year old tessera mosaic methods for contemporary use. His translation of Bob Ross painting depth perception techniques to tile work demonstrates how ancient craftsmanship can inform modern innovation. Creating modular, interchangeable mosaic household items makes inaccessible ancient artistry mainstream-bridging museum-quality techniques with everyday functional objects through patent-pending systems.
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