My Story Vault: The Inventive Life of Roger Questel

In this episode of My Story Vault, Dr. Dennis Rebelo sits down with Roger Questel—woodcarver, sculptor, inventor, and founder of Questech—for a vivid and often humorous journey through a life shaped by curiosity, craftsmanship, and creative risk-taking. Born with dyslexia and drawn early to the visual world, Roger found his voice not in words but in wood, carving objects in a Manhattan apartment with a Swiss army knife. What began as playful experimentation turned into high-end commissions, including the grand staircase of Ralph Lauren’s Madison Avenue flagship and intricate period carvings for the Getty family.

Faced with the physical and financial limits of handcrafting, Roger invented a new composite material—an innovative blend of metal powders and ceramics suspended in resin—that gave rise to his patented manufacturing process. That technology led to the founding of Questech, which grew from a single studio into a fully automated factory in Vermont, supplying bronze-look tiles, wall plates, and architectural trim to companies like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Roger credits his growth to the power of mentorship, learning-by-doing, and never being afraid to ask questions—hundreds of them.

Now living in North Adams and building a new art studio at BIC Works @ Mass MoCA, Roger reflects on the arc of his life: from urban storefronts to rural barns, solo labor to large-scale production, and youthful experimentation to sustained innovation. He shares why his current chapter—surrounded by creatives, collaborating with the Berkshire Innovation Center, and mentoring others—feels like a return to the energy of art school, full of promise and new beginnings. For Roger, the act of making—whether a sculpture, invention or a company—has always been about honoring the joy of process and inspiring others to do the same.

Links:

Roger Questel Portfolio:

https://studioquestel.com

Quest Tech:

https://questtech.com

(or insert if available)

Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program: https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

Narrative Research Group:

https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

Produced by Nate Christy, BIC Studios.