Behind the brush

Jefferson Pan and Stellar Interior

From an unsatisfying career in IT to building a thriving painting business, Jefferson Pan from Auckland's Stellar Interior shares his keys to success.

Despite graduating with a university degree in IT and subsequently forging a career in the industry, the pull of the paintbrush and onsite camaraderie proved too strong for Jefferson Pan from Auckland-based Stellar Interior.

Despite graduating with a university degree in IT and subsequently forging a career in the industry, the pull of the paintbrush and onsite camaraderie proved too strong for Jefferson Pan from Auckland-based Stellar Interior.

As the son of a professional painter, he found himself working for his dad during school holidays and helping out his dad’s friends whenever they needed any labouring done.

Then, academics called. “I went to university and graduated in IT, so it was a huge change. I worked in IT for a year and it got too boring, so I went back to painting,” Jefferson shares. “What drew me back, I think, was being outdoors and not on the computer all the time. Also being onsite with the guys and all the banter.”

Stellar startup

Jefferson says his dad taught him everything he knows and once he left his IT job, his dad asked him to come and manage for him and learn the ropes of the business side of the trade.

“That was from 2016 to 2019, then he wound his business down and retired, so I decided to start my own company, Stellar Interior,” he says. “We specialise in GIB fixing, stopping and painting and we’ve got about 40-50 guys working for us, so staffing is a lot to manage.”

While Jefferson admits it feels like there is a new challenge to overcome most days and many moving parts to operating a business, the largest issue he’s faced was in 2024.

“We had so many big sites on at the same time. Some of the sites had 25 houses each, and we had three of them,” he recalls. “So we needed a lot of people at that time and there were only two managers – myself and my other manager Pam – so we were basically running 20 jobs a week. We had to scale so fast and deliver on time and ensure quality as well.”

In 2026, during which many businesses have been experiencing tough times, Jefferson is grateful to say Stellar is in a stable position.

“At the start it was just about going out and getting good work, but now we fortunately have consistent work every week and have jobs for the guys – we’ve been pretty lucky and they’re super grateful as well.”

Leading with love

When it comes to management, Jefferson stays connected with his team and has a hands-on approach to nurturing talent.

“I’m on site all the time with the guys, so I give them a hand and give them tips and advice and shout them lunch,” he says. “It’s also leading with love – being super approachable and not yelling at them. There’s a big bully culture in the trades, so I find that just leading with that love is one of the best ways to do it.”

And he says he and his team have grown together. “When I started, they were in their 20s and now they're in their 30s – they’re great guys and know what they’re doing.”

Online connection

While Stellar does have a website, Jefferson says that Instagram is their main focus. “Pam handles it, and it’s a crucial business tool.”

He views it as modern word of mouth. “Everyone wants that social proof now. If you don’t have anything on there, then it’s very hard for the customer to decide. If you were looking for a service, most likely you’d look at their socials first to see if they’d done anything significant.”

Family values

Jefferson’s local Resene ColorShop is New Lynn and he cites Gareth, Ashley, Matt and Ayrton as his go-to staff members.

“It’s like a family in there. Every ColorShop we go to is like a big family. We know them on a first name basis and always have great chats. Whatever questions you have, they always have the answers straight away.”

He says his favourite Resene product of all time is Lustacryl. “You get such a smooth, hard-wearing finish and it’s so easy to use.”

As for his favourite colour? “I have to go with Resene Rice Cake – I did my house in it.”

Quickfire questions with Jefferson

What’s your work vehicle?

I drive a Toyota Hiace – the classic painter’s van. Do you have a ‘site helper’? I have a cavoodle called Domi, and I wish I could take him to work but he’s too crazy! He’d probably get paint all over everything.

What’s on your painting playlist?

Whatever the guys play onsite. I’m also more of a podcast guy and am listening to Chris Williamson at the moment.

What do you love about your job?

My guys and people that I work with, and also seeing the progress and transformation of our jobs.

Project you’re most proud of?

We’ve done a few jobs in Pauanui, so organising the logistics like travel and accommodation and delivering on schedule was a real achievement.