Tell us about your business.
ROCHELE® is a 51 year old 2nd generation family business providing painting services to residential and commercial property owners throughout South East QLD.
ROCHELE® began in 1975, when newlyweds Rocco and Michele put their roots down in Brisbane, combining their names to create a family business that would change their industry.
Back then, the couple were selling protective paint coatings across Queensland, and they wanted to start a business. But mostly, they wanted to start a family. At the time, their business spanned Queensland, reaching from the central deserts to the southern tropics. The dilemma was how they could swiftly return to assist customers in need of painting services and raise a family at the same time. Rocco and Michele knew what they had to do. So, they settled down in the heart of Brisbane to create the company they had always dreamed of: ROCHELE®.
Guided by their motto ‘Prompt & Professional’ and the belief of a better life through better service, the pair worked hard to elevate their offering. Brisbane was starting to emerge from obscurity. Businesses were booming and ROCHELE® offered what many were looking for: a reliable, local, structured painting service they could work with for the long-term. Expanding rapidly, Rocco soon became a prominent figure in the commercial space; nominated three times running as the President of the Master Painters association. It was in this position Rocco was able to impact the industry as a whole and ROCHELE® was recognised as leader in painting services not just in Brisbane but across South-East Queensland.
As the decades passed, Rocco and Michele not only grew their business, but also their family, teaching everyone what ‘Prompt & Professional’ really meant: their painters were tidy, their drop sheets clean and their boots left neatly at the door. Each of Rocco and Michele’s three children would watch as their parents organised the business in their family home. Calls were always answered and ROCHELE® was always on time.
Which brings us to today. ROCHELE® in its second generation has entered the modern age. Data driven and technology focused, the ROCHELE® of today is set to continue evolving – elevating its people and the industry. 
From Left to right: Sam Festa, Alfonsa (Ali) Kouparitas and Jeremy Festa
What has been your greatest success?
Our greatest success has been navigating harmoniously to the second generation. Where myself, my sister Alfonsa and my brother Jeremy have allowed my parents to retire while successfully corporatizing and growing the company year on year.
It started with the three of us setting a clear goal and vision and then working diligently towards that goal. This year we are set to achieve the milestone of transitioning to a board of directors with both Jeremy and Alfonsa stepping into non executive director roles.
What do you value about FBA?
We joined FBA as a way of surrounding ourselves with other businesses navigating family dynamics and proud of their family business origins. We have found the participation extremely helpful including the state conferences, workshops and forum group membership. The FBA is a valuable asset to Rochele as its a safe space to help navigate and professionalize family business as well as celebrating the well deserved wins of all our family business peers.
What advice would you give to other family businesses?
Be extremely proud of your family's business background. I come across numerous family businesses that feel embarrassed about the family business label. In fact, there was a time when I felt that also. It wasn't until I started my own family and started surrounding myself with other family businesses that I realized how wonderful and powerful it can be.
Recently I had the privilege of joining another family businesses board of directors as a non executive director and having worked in the family business landscape my whole life it has become the most rewarding space to give back and contribute to a fellow family business.
Support family business.
