We ask Andrew, Founder & Head of Purpose at Illumin8 and RMIT alum, six questions about being a business owner.
1. What did you study at RMIT and what attracted you to that program?
B Bus (Accountancy). The course kicked started my career into the world of accounting, as well as provided me flexibility to study & work in the field. I was doing a cadetship with KPMG, and the proximity also was perfect to get to/from work back when everything was majority on site.
2. What is your business all about?
Illumin8 is a purpose led, ikmpact6 focused accounting firm that works with Aussie Small business owners in the ecommerce, trades, creatives, alcohol & professional service space.
Whilst we would say we “do” what a lot of other accounting firms “do”, its more about the way we go about our craft & the environment we create within our team, and for our clients that is a key differentiator.
3. Where do you see your business in 10 years’ time?
Jeepers – 10 yrs ago I was only 2 years into this thing and had practically no team & a slowly growing business. Now with over 20 team members & over 300 businesses that we support, it’s been a wild ride.
I would say in 10 years you would see Illumin8 continue to journey alongside our closely selected client base, helping them to make great business decisions. Building on our current niche industries, I see us helping to build greatly equipped & financial sound business leaders as they focus on the impact their business can make in their local communities.
4. How has studying at RMIT prepared you to run your business?
Honestly – I completed my studies more than15yrs or so ago…. So it is hard to comprehend what I learned there, and how it relates to what I do now.
I can fondly recall moments throughout my time at RMIT that I still refer to today:
- The quality of other students & the relationships & networks it helped me to form.
- Educators that gave their time to me when I had left field questions – even spending some time talking to a family member who ran a business of their own.
- Educators who brought their personality & style to the learning sessions – which is a key part of how I encourage out team at Illumin8 to behave.
5. What advice would you have offered yourself when you first started your business?
You are not defined by what you go through, but how you choose to go through it.
A gentle reminder that as you approach the business world, there will be times of great success, and times of immense stress. Looking at how your character hols up, and to be proud of the way you managed all situations is key.
That… and get a great accountant to guide you… I happen to know an EXCEPTIONAL one.
6. How do you make working in finance fun?
A very simple thought process.
I am not an accountant called Andrew.
I am an Andrew who happens to be great at accounting.
That simple change of mindset allows me, and my team to approach our craft on a daily basis by not hiding our personalities, and creating long lasting connections with our clients.
Whilst we might be “accountants” we truly believe we are not in the business of numbers, rather the business of relationships. And the people we work with, inspire us to be better every day.
It also helps to have a whisky bar in our office, hold annual parties with our clients that involve tattoo artists giving out free tattoos all night long, and creating a flexible, growth fuelled & safe environment for our team to ply their craft within.
Alumni bio
Andrew Van De Beek
Founder & Head of Purpose - andrew@illumin8.com.au
Andrew Van De Beek graduated RMIT with a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy). His dream is to one day own a whisky bar, but until then he’s an accountant and founder of multi award winning business advisory firm, Illumin8. Andrew is also an accounting industry podcast host, co-working community designer, bathroom renovation retail store owner, coordinator of retreats, mentor of up & coming accountants, keynote speaker & generally getting himself into interesting situations in the world of accounting.
