Aaron’s Story
When I’m asked to write a bio about myself, I’m tempted to start with something big and philosophical. But the truth is much simpler.
I’m a painter. I love what I do.
I apprenticed under my dad and started quoting small jobs while I was still in high school. I never really stopped. Over the years I’ve honed the trade, chased quality, and built a level of professionalism I’m genuinely proud of. Whether it’s bringing an old Queenslander back to life or finishing a brand-new build, there’s something deeply satisfying about helping someone’s vision take shape.
Bufo Paint has grown and evolved over time. What started as my own small operation has become a family business. My daughter and my partner have come on board, and that’s changed everything for the better. It’s not just about getting the job done anymore — it’s about building something together, passing on skills, creating opportunities, and working side by side with the people I love.
I’m also a teacher at heart. I love training young people to become professional painters. Not just showing them how to cut a straight line or roll a ceiling, but teaching patience, pride in workmanship, and respect for clients and their homes. Watching someone grow in confidence — from unsure to capable — is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
At the same time, I’m still a student. I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Business (Management) at Swinburne University, which has broadened how I think about leadership, systems, and the human side of business. I’m interested in how people work and learn together, and how a business can be both professional and deeply human.
At the end of the day, I try to keep it simple: do the work in front of me with care, treat people well, and keep learning. There are always challenges — that’s part of being human — but I’m grateful for the journey. I’m still painting, still teaching, still learning, and proud to be building something meaningful with my family through Bufo Paint.
Aaron at 4 years old, with his first paint brush!
Interview with Aaron
Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Aaron O’Neill, the founder of Bufo Paint, gaining an insight into foundation of Bufo Paint.
Aaron’s painting training started in Canada, at only 10 years old. Aaron picked valuable skills from his father Tom on the weekends and after school.
Tom started painting in 1977, starting his journey in trade learning from his father, who was a builder. Tom is still painting in Canada to this day! Clearly there is a long line of trades and skills being passed down, generation to generation. Aaron has now started training his daughter, adding another generation to this beautiful family business, with the hope that Bufo Paint will live on well past his time. Aaron was proud to work with his father and sees working with his daughter as an opportunity to build that relationship every single day. The O’Neill blood is based on painting, integrity, trade skills, and hard day’s work.
Aaron is always learning, even to this day, working with new materials, surfaces, paints and technology. As the painting world changes and grows, Aaron and Bufo grow with it! His favorite task now is spray painting, because after all the hard prep work, he can see the change and progression so quickly! With just the pull of a trigger, a lot of experience and skill, your blank canvas is quickly transforming into work you can see, and a finished job. The progress of skills Aaron displayed at 10, to now in his 40’s would have been a beautiful thing to watch!
At 18, he started his own small business, quoting friends and friends’ parents small jobs. The beauty of being a small business owner back in the day was that he never had to never had to rely on anyone else to make money.
And from there, Aaron’s painting career launched! The original goal and idea behind Bufo Paint was to build a work environment where people want to come to work. Now, years later, that goal has been extended to his clients, ensuring that they enjoy the experience of their house being painted.
I was curious about the misconceptions that come with trades, when most people think painter, or plumber, etc., there is a specific Australian stereotype that comes to mind. But Bufo Paint is here to break that mould, painters can be professional, smart, sober and organised! One of the largest misconceptions other than trades being unkempt is that everyone and anyone can paint. Yes, anyone can do DIY which is fun and exciting, however, professional painting is completely different, requiring years of training, a build up of confidence and knowledge.
Aaron is always learning and striving to further his education, he has completed his certificate 3 in Painting and Decorating, a certificate 4 in construction and is now completing his Bachelor of business majoring in management. In his current Bachelor, Aaron has learnt a tremendous amount of applied theory and knowledge and most of all, the course has reaffirmed his previous business and management styles.
Lastly, Bufo paints moto “Integrity is everything”. What does that really mean to Bufo Paint and Aaron? Aaron’s personal definition of integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. He upholds integrity in his everyday life by becoming aware of personal biases and rising above that, he strives to always produce quality and value work. The environment is also a huge part of Aaron’s heart and the painting industry does not always align with caring for the environment. “Paint is produced as a by product of crude oil and comes in plastic drums, the impact to the environment is paramount and is the front of paint companies’ minds.” . Bufo Paint has many other ways of reducing waste, favoring paper over plastic, giving away empty paint drums, thinking before using and many more.
Overall, Aaron has built a successful business – ethically and economically, reaching all of the initial goals set out for Bufo Paint. This is a business he is proud to own, a business workers are proud to be a part of, and a business that customers are enthusiastic to support!
Tom Painting in Canada, 2025
My dad taught me the value of a hard days work
- Aaron
Aaron setting up for his favorite job, spray painting!
“A good work ethic means doing a good job when no one is watching. The primers, preparation and undercoat, the ethics come in underneath the surface. Painting is 75% prep work, that’s where integrity applies”
-Aaron