She’s Painting the Town

Judy Goularte, owner of Hollister Paint Company Inc., was a single mother with a 4-year-old son, Lance, and 10-year-old daughter, Ali, when she began to work for her family’s business in the early 1980s.
Now Lance, 35, works alongside her as a fourth-generation co-owner of the store his great-grandfather started. Ali, 41, hasn’t gone far either—working as a hair stylist at The Hair Shoppe, located in the same building as the paint shop.
“It’s been really nice,” Judy, now 66, said of the experience of working alongside several generations of her family. “We have a fun time. We are a very close family.”
Hollister Paint Company Inc., at 57 East St. in Hollister, began in 1927 with Judy’s grandfather, Ed Hooper. A sign painter originally from Idaho, Ed began to manufacture his own paint after opening his own sign painting business. According to Judy, this practice would actually be illegal under today’s regulations, but his business evolved into selling his own brand of paint to others. Thus the enduring family business was born.
A lifelong Hollister resident, Judy grew up in a home directly across the street from the shop and watched her father, Don Hooper, take over ownership after her grandfather retired. Judy, a 1965 graduate of Hollister High School, attended Gavilan College and later transferred to the University of Santa Clara where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
She said she never planned to inherit the family business. In fact, she once dreamed of becoming a counselor. Yet she continues to enjoy the tradition and proximity to family, as well as working with her customers, she added.
“My favorite thing is working with the people,” Judy said. “I like it when I make somebody happy by coordinating the colors in their home. It makes me happy.”
The original storefront doubled in size in the 1970s and has been remodeled over the years as well. The store continues to grow, and now features three major paint brands: Benjamin Moore, Dunn-Edwards and Kelly Moore. The service area has increased as well, now including Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Jose and other surrounding communities. Judy said that while the family-owned business isn’t always able to compete with the prices of big box stores, they can offer a level of personalized service that others can’t.
Sheila Stevens, owner of Heavenly Bakery and She’s in Hollister, said she admires Judy as a business woman and family-oriented mother.
“Judy is a beautiful, fabulous woman,” Stevens said. “She is a true asset to her family and children. Her family is strong in the community.”
According to Judy, the family prides itself on the level of customer service they offer as a local business. She handles consultations with customers, as well as the business accounting, while Lance—a co-owner of the business—manages the contracting crew of four to 10 painters, as well as the store.
During consultations, Judy helps clients match paint colors with the existing furniture and flooring.
“We used to sell a lot of wallpaper as well,” she added. “That used to be fun.”
This is just one example of how trends have changed in the 80 years since the business opened its doors. In fact, the store is now the second oldest business in Hollister.
While many small businesses didn’t survive the recent recession, Hollister Paint Company continues to remain a feature of the local business community by paying close attention to the real estate market and capitalizing on the good name it has built over the years.
“We go the extra mile to help people choose what’s right for their home,” Judy said. “We have many repeat customers. We are also 80 years old, so we have a great reputation.”
According to Judy, most of the contract jobs that come in their doors these days are repainting assignments, but there was a time during the housing boom when Lance and his contract team were asked to add the finishing touches to many
new homes.
Judy credits much of the store’s recent success to her son, who she describes as “aggressive. He is very young and ambitious.”
She said she also believes in divine intervention.
“The Lord blessed us with all of this,” Judy said of the business. “Every time we get a job I say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’”
When she isn’t at work, the semi-retired grandmother of two enjoys spending more time with her family—especially granddaughters Olivia, 7, and Franchesca, 5.
“My children and family are the biggest thing in my life,” Judy said. “Hollister is a great place to raise children.”
For more information, call Hollister Paint Company at (831) 637-4145.