What happens when a highly organised project manager, three young kids, and a slightly terrifying leap-of-faith moment collide? You get one very impressive first property flip.

In this episode of Building With BuildHer, Rebeka sits down with DevelopHer Lauren McKenna to unpack her first renovation project - a full gut renovation of a dated unit in Ormond that she delivered in just eight weeks… while on maternity leave with three children underfoot.

But this conversation goes far deeper than paint colours and floorplans.

Lauren shares the very real transition from a demanding career in commercial project management into property development, the confidence shift that came from backing herself, and why she ultimately decided to walk away from the “safe” path to build something on her own terms. 

You will also hear the behind-the-scenes reality of buying into a block opportunity with multiple owners, managing large-scale external renovations through body corporate politics, juggling competing personalities, and navigating the unexpected chaos of multiple investors renovating and selling at the same time. Think: part renovation project, part The Block antics.

There are so many valuable takeaways in this episode for anyone renovating, building or developing for profit, including:

• why speed and decision-making matter just as much as design
• the importance of running multiple renovation scenarios before committing to one approach
• how to separate emotional attachment from commercial reality
• what to know before buying into a block-style development opportunity
• and why the best projects are not always the most expensive or dramatic ones

Lauren also speaks candidly about boundaries, burnout, confidence, and the surprising emotional side of stepping into development for yourself for the first time. And perhaps most importantly, this episode is a reminder that you do not need to “have it all figured out” before you start. Purchasing this project within just weeks of joining BuildHer Collective, Lauren proves that sometimes confidence is built by doing. 

A great listen for anyone craving more flexibility, more ownership over their time, and proof that there is more than one way to build a life, and a business, in property.

Head to our website to take a look at photos of Lauren's brilliant Ormond project:
https://buildhercollective.com.au/podcast/ep11-the-flip-that-gave-lauren-the-confidence-to-quit-her-job/

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If you’ve ever wondered whether you can actually turn a profit in this market, this episode is your proof that you can.

We're joined by DevelopHer Zerin who has just wrapped up her second project in under 12 months, delivering a 54% ROI (yes, you read that right) - and she breaks down exactly how she’s doing it.

What’s really interesting about this conversation is the shift. Zerin didn’t start as a numbers person - she came in design-first, focused on creating beautiful homes. But what she’s learnt (and what this episode unpacks so well) is that real success comes from balancing beauty with discipline.

From walking away from projects that don’t stack up (even when they look so good on paper), to understanding where to spend and where no one will ever notice you didn’t - this is a masterclass in thinking like a developer, not just a renovator.

We also get into the magic of creating homes that feel right - the kind buyers connect with instantly - and why cohesion, simplicity, and a few well-placed “hero moments” can completely change your result.

Zerin’s approach is calm, clear, and becoming more and more confident - no overthinking, no overcomplicating with emotion… just smart decisions, made consistently.

If you’re serious about building or renovating for profit - this is one you’ll want to listen to all the way through.

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Think AI is the shortcut to smarter property development? It is… just not in the way you might expect.

In this episode, Rebeka walks through how she is using AI in real time across projects, from scanning markets and spotting opportunities, to testing ideas and streamlining day-to-day operations. It's powerful, no doubt, but it's not the whole picture. Because while AI can point you in the right direction, it cannot interpret the human side of property the emotion, the nuance, the “why this works here but not there.”

What unfolds is a practical, no-fluff conversation about using AI as a support act, not the lead. You will come away with a clearer understanding of where it genuinely adds value, where it falls short, and how to use it to move faster without losing your footing. It's also a good reminder that your understanding of the numbers, your instinct, and your ability to read people and place still matter more than any tool.

Because while AI can help you learn more and quicker, it's still your role to make sense of it and turn it into something that actually stacks up in the real world.

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If you have ever thought a broker was just there to tell you “how much you can borrow”… this episode might just change the way you think about playing the property game.

In this conversation, we cover the real role of a loan broker when you are renovating, building or developing for profit - and why treating finance as a strategy (not a transaction) can be the difference between sitting on the sidelines and actually getting deals done. Because here is the truth: not all lenders are created equal, not all brokers think like developers, and the way you structure your finance matters just as much as the deal itself.

We walk through how to approach brokers with intention, why starting with “how much can I borrow?” is often the wrong question, and how to flip the script - find the deal first, then reverse-engineer the finance to make it work. We also touch on different strategies such as equity release, LVR, development finance, construction loans, and why sometimes access to cash matters far more than chasing the lowest interest rate.

And perhaps most importantly, we unpack the mindset shift from feeling risk to actually calculating it - because so many women are far closer to their next project than they realise… they just have not been shown how to leverage what they already have.

Think of this episode as your behind-the-scenes guide to the money side of property - the part no one really teaches, but everyone needs. Because the women who build wealth in property are not just good at design or numbers… they know how to make money move.

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If you have ever found yourself deep in the Instagram rabbit hole saving kitchens, bathrooms and tiles like a woman possessed… this episode is for you.

Rebeka and BuildHer Collective’s Head of Design, Rebecca, chat about how to use media as a market guide without letting the pretty pictures take over your project. Because while inspiration is everywhere right now, not every trend belongs in your build - and not every beautiful finish makes financial or practical sense.

Together they lift the lid on how experienced developers filter the noise, identify the elements that actually resonate with buyers, and translate inspiration into cohesive, high-end spaces that sell. From choosing a hero material (hello Turkish Delight stone) to resisting the temptation to add every “bell and whistle”, this conversation is a masterclass in restraint, market alignment and designing homes people truly want to live in - not just admire on Pinterest.

If you are renovating, building or developing for profit, this episode will sharpen how you interpret design trends and turn inspiration into smart, strategic decisions.

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Buying a property to renovate or develop for profit is not a time to rely on “good vibes” - it's about whether the deal actually stacks up. And in this episode of Building with BuildHer, Rebeka covers exactly that: how to properly assess a property before you commit, so you are making strategic decisions, not expensive guesses.

This conversation is all about learning to defend a deal. Not in a scary, boardroom way - more in a calm, confident “I know why this works” kind of way. Rebeka walks through the research, feasibility thinking and number-checking that should happen before you buy, from understanding current value and potential resale, through to holding costs, timelines and how quickly profit can disappear when assumptions are not properly tested.

There is a gentle reminder that if you're developing property as a business, you need to be able to articulate exactly why a deal works - financially, strategically and practically - to yourself, your spreadsheet, your broker, and anyone else backing the project. If the numbers wobble when questioned, the deal probably does too.

If you are serious about renovating, building or developing for profit, this episode is a really valuable listen. It is practical, grounding, and exactly the kind of clarity that helps turn “I think this could work” into “I know why this will.”

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We’re back with our first 'Building with Buildher' episode of 2026 and if the new year has you reassessing your direction or daydreaming about design, you’re not alone. Rebeka and Rebecca unpack one of the most common questions they hear from women:

“What should I actually study if I’m interested in design?”

Today, we explore how to navigate those thoughts with clarity, not guesswork!

From interior design degrees to architecture, drafting, digital tools, on-the-job learning and everything in between, they break down what really matters - not the title on the certificate, but the outcome you’re working towards

This episode is a reality check on:

• Why starting with education instead of outcomes often leads to frustration

• The difference between designing for yourself, designing for clients, and designing for profit

• When a degree makes sense, and when it absolutely doesn’t

• How working inside a practice can fast-track your skills faster than years of study

• Why “loving the pretty stuff” is only a small part of the picture

Rebeka and Rebecca also share their own career pivots, hard-earned lessons, and why clarity around lifestyle, autonomy, flexibility and scale should shape your decisions just as much as creativity.

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After speaking with 172 women (yes… one hundred and seventy-two!) about their dreams of renovating and developing, Rebeka has spotted the same three roadblocks popping up again and again, and none of them are dealbreakers as they may feel.

Most of the women she spoke to weren’t lacking ability - they were lacking clarity. Once they understood the area, the numbers, and the funding… many of them bought a site within days.

She explores why so many people stall before they even get started, how to cut through the noise and make smart decisions, and the one mindset shift that can change the entire trajectory of your next project. It's what separates the women who dream from the women who do.

This episode dives into the kinds of conversations that usually happen behind the scenes - the honest, slightly uncomfortable truths that can save you time, money, and a whole lot of unnecessary chaos in your own renovating or development journey.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or convinced you “can’t” get started… this episode might be the little nudge you need.

You can also access our Feasibility Calculator Freebie here:
https://bit.ly/feasibilityfreebie

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There’s no one-size-fits-all way to play the property game, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.

In this episode, Rebeka talks about how different strategies suit different people, depending on where you’re at in life, how much time you’ve got, and what you’re aiming for. From big-picture subdivision projects to fast-turnaround renos, she breaks down how to find a pathway that actually fits you... your finances, your skills, and your lifestyle.

You’ll hear real examples from women carving out their own routes to financial freedom, from a project manager shifting from IT to property, to a mum on maternity leave taking on an apartment renovation to replace her income.

Rebeka unpacks what each project means in terms of time, capital, and return - and how aligning your goals with the right type of project is where the magic (and the profit) really happens.

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of property project makes sense for your season of life, this one’s your roadmap. Because there’s more than one way to build wealth, you just need to find the path that fits.

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Before you jump into your next renovation, extension, or development, have you actually run the numbers? And not just on what you think you should do with a property, but have you stacked it up against a number of different options?

In this episode, Rebeka breaks down how she approaches every project with an options analysis — looking at a site from a few different angles before deciding which path makes the most sense. Sometimes it’s a quick spruce, sometimes it’s a full-scale renovation… and sometimes it’s best to walk away.

She walks us through a real project where the team compared multiple options, running the feasibilities side by side to see what stacked up — and what didn’t. You’ll hear how even small shifts in strategy can completely change the outcome, and why it’s so important to understand both the profit potential and the cash you actually need to get there.

This chat is for anyone who’s ever asked, “What should I do with this property?” It’s about finding clarity in the numbers, confidence in your decision-making, and the fun in the process.

Don't jump into your next project blind - jump in smart!

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And, we’re back! After a little podcasting pause (because sometimes you’ve got to build instead of just talk about building), Rebeka returns with an insight-packed episode that’s all about unlocking your pathway to profit.

Over the past few months, she’s had over 100 conversations with incredible women such as industry professionals, tradie wives, interior designers and project managers, who are ready to stop building wealth for others and start building their own future. But there’s one thing standing in the way: they can’t quite see how to start.

Rebeka walks us through the mindset shifts, stories, and real talk that uncover the simple truth: there is a profitable pathway for every woman. It’s just about seeing the right steps and having the right people around you (spoiler: that’s what we’re here for).

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the leap from working in the industry to creating wealth for yourself, or if you’ve been stuck in the planning, dreaming, and doubting stage, this one’s for you.

Expect insights on:
– Why your skills already set you up for success
– The Freedom Formula we use at BuildHer
– The difference between doing it for ego vs. doing it for profit
– The magic of surrounding yourself with women who get it

Whether you're starting fresh or pivoting from an established career, this episode is here to help you sense-check your next move and uncover your own build-worthy future.

Book your Profitable Project Call:
https://bit.ly/profitableproject

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