From Work Experience to Business Owner: Sam Rofe's Journey with O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo

When Sam Rofe walked through the doors of O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo straight out of Year 12, he never imagined he would one day own the business.

Now, after almost 18 years with the company, Sam has officially taken over ownership from Gary and Lola Frank, who are retiring after joining the O’Brien and Laser® Network 26 years ago. 

It’s a remarkable succession story — one that demonstrates not only the value of planning for the future, but also the strength of being part of a Network that supports its Members every step of the way.

Growing Up with the Business

Sam’s journey started with a work experience placement. He said, 

“I came straight out of year 12 into work experience and I never left since. It’s my 18th year with the business.”

Looking back, becoming a business owner wasn’t part of the original plan. He said, 

“If you’d asked me back then… I always said I’d never get off the tools. I’m a very hands-on person. I said, ‘No. I’ll never end up in an office.'”

As the years went on, Sam grew alongside the business, taking on more responsibility and helping shape its future. He said, 

“I think it just sort of happened… it was slow progression from off the tools into the office. One thing led to another and it sort of just all fell into place.”

Eventually, he reached a point where there was only one business he wanted to own. He said, 

“I always probably had the plan to go out on my own once I’d got qualified. But I got to the point that I knew that if I was going to go out and start my own business, I’d be starting something and building it exactly the same, in competition. And I couldn’t do that to something I was helping build. So I just said, ‘No, I have to buy this and carry it on.'”

Better as a Network

For Sam, the 2015 Advantage Conference in Fiji changed the way he viewed the business forever. He said, 

“It just got me hooked and I saw the brand, saw that there was more than just our business and that was it.”

 

That moment helped him realise he wasn’t just working for a local business — he was part of something much bigger. He said, 

“It doesn’t feel… isolated and lonely. I’ve met that many Members over the years whether it be conferences or seminars… it just always felt the Members were only a phone call away to ask questions or issues about what we’ve got going on. I still think that’s one of the strongest things in the group.”

Whether it was learning from fellow Members around Australia and New Zealand, sharing ideas or solving business challenges together, Sam says the willingness of Members to help one another is something you can’t put a price on. He said, 

“It didn’t feel daunting because there was always someone in the Network who had already been through what we were dealing with. Whenever we hit a rough patch or were stressing about a problem, a quick phone call, email, or chat would get us an answer. We’d often think, ‘We were stressing over that, and it was such a simple issue that had been solved ages ago.’ I still think that’s one of the best things about the Network.”

Support Beyond the Business

As ownership became a reality, Sam says having the backing of the O'Brien and Laser® Network and Support Office made the transition feel far less daunting. He said, 

“Because I’ve sort of known all those people in the group for so long… it all just happened and then naturally fell into place.”

“I’ve often thought if I wasn’t working in the business for so long and just came in [and] bought the business… it would be extremely daunting and not have those connections and people to lean back on.”

Instead, the relationships, systems and support were already there.

The business also continues to benefit from the Network’s shared technology, supplier relationships and operational support, and are consistently open to testing new offerings recommended by the group. He said, 

“We obviously love all the Simpro, that sort of stuff. The fact that we can ring around or go visit other people and see how they’re doing stuff… if we weren’t in the group that would be a lot different scenario.

We couldn’t go down the road and talk to one of our local competitors about the same thing.”

Continuing a Proud Legacy

Under Gary’s leadership, the business continually evolved, expanding beyond initial electrical services into air conditioning and plumbing to better serve the local community. As Sam notes, this expansion was a significant learning curve. He said, 

“Even when we branched out into plumbing, it was a bit intimidating at first. We started with one plumber, and as a couple of ‘sparkies,’ we initially had no idea how we were going to manage it. But we made it work, and today, we have seven people in our plumbing department.”

 

Now, with ownership officially changing hands, Sam isn’t looking to reinvent what has already been built. He said, 

“We’ve done the main big changes and we’re just going to keep making ourselves better.”

For Gary, years of succession planning mean he can step into retirement knowing the business is in trusted hands.

For Sam, it’s about continuing the legacy of a business he has helped build since he left school. He said, 

“It’s worked out well for me and Gary. I think also that he knows that he could hand it on… I feel comfortable that we will carry on the same way, give the same service… moving forward.”

From an 18-year-old work experience student to the owner of the very business where he began his career, Sam’s story is a testament to what’s possible when hard work is matched with opportunity, mentorship and the backing of a strong Network.

Looking to Join the Network?

O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo’s story is just one example of the many ways businesses thrive within the O'Brien and Laser® Network.

For some Members, growth comes through a carefully planned succession that keeps a long-standing business in trusted hands. Others expand by acquiring an existing Member business, broadening into additional trade services, or accelerating growth by tapping into the collective knowledge, systems, supplier partnerships and support available across the Network.

As we continue to strengthen our footprint across Australia, we’re looking to connect with established electrical and plumbing business owners who are ready to grow their business. If you’re interested in the opportunities that come with being part of a collaborative national Network — or you know a business owner who might be — we’d love to start the conversation. Get in touch with Roger Sciberras, Business Development Manager, on mobile or email to learn more.