BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

With Almost 50 Years of Experience, Robbin Cutenese is the Painters' Choice

Robbin and Robin Cutenese

Robbin and Robin Cutenese

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Robbin Cutenese is a lifer in the painting industry.

By the time he was 30 he had 20 years of experience. Now at 67, he’s lapped many of his colleagues who do similar work.

“Just because I’ve been doing this for so long I have a wealth of experience and knowledge. Some people fall into a profession because they have to,” Cutenese said. “I’ve decided the type of work I do, and we just aim to do a solid paint job every time.”

Cutenese entered the profession when his father started taking him to jobs as a 9-year-old. He specializes in residential and commercial paint projects. He has extensive knowledge of wood, plaster and stucco techniques, and can repair cracking, peeling and water damage.

Cutenese was recently awarded a contract to paint the interior area of the Conejo Players Theatre.

He got his contractors license in painting 30 years ago. Since then, his sole mission is to leave his clients satisfied.

“I feel very fortunate to be one of those people who comes to the job, and then by the time we’re through it looks really nice,” Cutenese said. “A lot of people in the contracting industry don’t get to see the finished product. When I’m done, it’s finished. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I’m beautifying things.”

Before obtaining his license, Cutenese spent most of his 20s working with Harold Braverman, a mentor. Braverman died 20 years ago, but Cutenese tries to keep his memory alive through his work.

“I loved him more than a father,” Cutenese said with a pause. “I was a mixed up young guy, but he helped form the way I think and look at life.”

Braverman stressed to Cutenese how important it is that clients are comfortable with his crew being in their homes.

“Harold taught me how to talk to customers and how to treat them,” Cutenese said. “For some of our customers, especially seniors, it’s important that they feel at ease with our presence in their home. He helped me understand a lot about maturity.”

All the lessons he learned have paid off. Cutenese and his crew sport an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Thousand Oaks became home to Cutenese a few months back when his grandchild was born.

“I used to come here for jobs and think, ‘Man, I really should have bought a house out here instead the Valley,’” he said.

So when his wife, Robin, wanted to be closer to family, he jumped at the opportunity.

“There’s everything you could want out here. It’s great out here,” Cutenese said.

He and his wife have been married for 20 years. The couple have three children and five grandchildren. Painting is also a family business. His stepfather, son, brothers and nephews are all in the industry in one way or another.

“It’s the family business, and I feel like I’m one of the few people who are really fortunate enough to love what they do.”

For more information or to schedule a free estimate, call Cutenese at (805) 208-1429.

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