Her Story

Chris Cameron often describes herself as a €œCorporate Hippie.€ As the Director of Rockcote, a leading national manufacturer of premixed coloured renders, textures and environmentally friendly paints, Chris is a champion for sustainable development and business practices and a pioneer for women in the construction and manufacturing industries.

In the past 25 years Chris, along with her husband Bob and team of dedicated staff, has grown Rockcote from a back yard operation into a multi-million dollar, multi-award winning national company.

Some of Chris’ achievements include being invited to participate as a fellow panelist with Richard Branson and other business experts in the 2013 University of Queensland’s ‘€˜NEXT? The Future of Business Q&A’€™ event; being recognised as the ‘€˜Business Entrepreneur’€™ winner at the 2012 Australian Financial Review ‘€˜Top 100 Women of Influence Awards’€™; receiving an Honorary Senior Fellowship with Sunshine Coast University for her contribution to significant business development; receiving the Queensland Premier’€™s Award for ‘€˜Leadership in Business Sustainability’€™; and, winning the Telstra Queensland and National Business Woman of the Year Awards. Rockcote’€™s Design Centre at the Gold Coast won the United Nations Assoc of Australia World Environment Day ‘Szencorp Green Building Award’€™.

Thanks in part to Chris’€™ entrepreneurial and business achievements, Rockcote has helped to make the construction industry a more €˜female friendly€™ place and to further recognise the role of women as key decision makers in the home building and renovation process.

Chris has also helped to encourage and educate the business and broader community about the importance and benefits of using quality, sustainable building products, and €˜people-safe€™ paint and render products in an industry traditionally known for its environmentally disastrous practices.

Through Rockcote, Chris has proved that it is possible to create quality, professional and aesthetically beautiful products from natural and easily renewable resources – without chemicals, toxins and additives.

Chris continues to build on her well established business success by mentoring other business women; employing females in senior roles within Rockcote; insisting on gender balance on the Rockcote board; and €˜’walking the talk’€™ regarding business sustainability.

“Whether you want to refer to the latest in management theory, traditional Eastern Karmic understanding, your own business mentors or your grandmother, the message remains the same. In my case, my very wise uncle who is a proud Rotarian said to me…

For all the things that we think, say or do.

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Strategies for Success

1. Live in accordance with your true nature and play to your strengths.
2. Have honesty and integrity at the core of all you do.
3. Believe in yourself and be kind to yourself.
4. Define what success means to you – To my mother-in-law, being a good wife and mother means she has had a very successful life.
5. Don’t ever burn bridges.