Rocco Petrucci, Founder of Zucci Hairdressing.

When Rocco Petrucci picked up his first pair of scissors 38 years ago, he was drawn to the freedom and creativity that hairdressing offered. It was more than just a craft—it was a way to shape personal style, influence fashion, and leave a lasting impact on people’s everyday lives. His passion took him across the world, where he honed his skills, connected with like-minded creatives, and ultimately channelled those experiences into his own business, Zucci.

But turning a passion into a thriving, enduring business takes more than skill alone. Since 2008, Kearney Group has been by Rocco’s side, helping him navigate the challenges of growing a small business—from taking on new salons and building a high-performing teams, to financials, business advisory and strategy. It’s what we love—supporting small businesses at every stage, from their first big leap to long-term success.

Zucci: a brand with heart and vision.

For Rocco Petrucci, founder of Zucci, building a brand wasn’t just about business—it was about passion, creativity, and making people feel good. Starting at just 21, Rocco had the talent, the drive, and the vision, but like many young entrepreneurs, he had to learn the business side of things on the fly.

“You sort of make mistakes and you work hard,” Rocco says. “I was doing six days a week, not knowing how to grow a business. All I knew was that I was good at what I did.”

That talent laid the foundation for Zucci’s first salon in Ivanhoe in 1984. But as the business grew, so did the challenges. Financials, business strategy, expansion and team management—these were all new territories that Rocco had to navigate.

Finding the right support.

Rocco has always been a creative at heart, and balancing that with the demands of running a business wasn’t always easy.

“I’m not naturally a business person,” he admits. “It’s really hard to wear different hats all the time, and I envy people that do have a mentor.”

While he didn’t have a single mentor, Rocco built a strong support network along the way—including Kearney Group, who became a key partner in both his personal and professional journey.

“Kearney Group brought us proactivity—looking at how we can grow our business through being proactive in the financial perspective.”

Solving big challenges at Zucci with smart strategy.

Even for leading salons like Zucci, one of the biggest challenges is retaining and rewarding talented staff. Rocco wanted to find a way to keep his team engaged and motivated, and Kearney Group stepped in with a tailored approach.

“They were able to go away, put together some formulas on what that would look like and how we would do it,” Rocco explains. “And then I was able to use that formula in how we managed to obtain and reward our team.”

This strategic approach helped Zucci not only grow but also build a loyal and inspired team—a key ingredient in the brand’s longevity and success.

A legacy that lasts.

Today, Zucci is a well-known and respected name in the industry—a fact that makes Rocco incredibly proud. “It’s a great business. It’s a great brand. I do see it going on beyond my lifetime.”

Looking back, he says wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge, every mistake, and every lesson learned has been part of the journey—and that’s what truly matters, he tells us.

“If I were to do it all again, there’s really nothing I would do differently. The mistakes that you make along the way are important. It’s the journey that we look for. It’s the journey that’s important.”

For Rocco, that journey has been about more than just building a business—it’s been about creating something creative, meaningful, and, above all, lasting. And with the right support, the Zucci journey continues to evolve and go from strength to strength.