From the moment I could hold a hammer, the path was set. I was raised in a world of artisans, with a tailor for a father, an artist for a mother, and a family where creativity wasn’t optional—it was how we survived. My grandfather’s handmade tools, carried with him when he migrated to Australia, are still with me. Those tools didn’t just build furniture—they built character. If we didn’t have something, we made it. That was the rule.
I was lucky to learn from master tradespeople who saw me not just as a pair of hands, but as someone worth investing in. Their philosophy became mine: give your best to others, and they’ll carry it forward. That principle shaped Freestyle Joinery, though it took me 15 years and Kelly’s unwavering belief in me to believe I could make it real. Leaving a steady job was terrifying. But staying still, afraid of failure, would’ve been worse.
Family has always been my anchor, and in the early days of Freestyle, that meant working tunnel-visioned hours just to stay afloat. I worked. Kelly managed the books. We barely came up for air. I was haunted by the fear of letting my family down. I had no plan B. But Kelly never wavered. We evolved, we blended our strengths, and somewhere in the mix of exhaustion and grit, we became not just business partners—but a unit.
People used to tell me to work smarter, not harder. At first, it felt like criticism. I was already giving everything I had. But in time, I realized smart work comes from the lessons you earn through hard work. I wanted my kids to see what we could do, together. I wanted Kelly to be proud. That became the reason behind every late night and early morning.
I’ve learned to ask for help—something that took me far too long to understand isn’t a weakness. Being vulnerable has made me a better leader. Our business has grown, and with it, our collaborations. We’ve worked with some of Australia’s finest interior designers, including Greg Natale, and those relationships thrive on mutual understanding and respect. Trust, loyalty—those aren’t outdated values. They’re what everything stands on.
Australia’s custom design scene is exploding with talent. It’s not just Europe anymore. Right here, our designers are producing world-class work. And through Cabinetry Panels, we’ve tapped into a product line that reflects everything I believe in—craftsmanship, quality, and deep-rooted heritage. It’s Italian-made, like me. That wasn’t planned, but maybe it was meant to be.
Cabinetry Panels deliver unmatched precision and finish. Kitchens, walls, ceilings, even super yachts—there’s nowhere they don’t fit. The product sells itself, but what makes it special is the story behind it. And now, Kelly’s part of that story in a new way.
With the kids older, she’s stepped into the spotlight. Cabinetry has given her a role she can fully own. Leaving the house to work in our new showroom has brought her a whole new energy. She’s not just managing behind the scenes—she’s at the front, shaping the brand.
Now we’re designing our own furniture pieces together, building something that’s uniquely ours. Years of experience, craftsmanship, and shared passion are coming together in ways we never imagined when this all began. And as our three children grow, we hope one of them might carry it forward.
This isn’t just a business. It’s our life’s work. And it’s just getting started.