Building With BuildHer

BuildHer Collective
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Rebeka Morgan from BuildHer Collective chat about all things building and renovating and everyday people making their mark in the building industry.

  1. 2 days ago

    Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should: Using AI Without Losing Your Voice (with Rhiannon Lee)

    Everyone's either terrified of AI or shouting that you're behind. This episode is neither. Rebeka sits down with Rhiannon Lee - founder of Oleander and Finch and one of the design industry's clearest voices on AI - for the most honest conversation we've had about using these tools without losing yourself in them. If you've ever opened ChatGPT to save half an hour and lost half a day, this one's for you. In this episode: Why nobody is the expert - and why that's good news, not bad ChatGPT goes wide, Claude goes deep: how Rhiannon actually uses each one The real reason some people get magic out of AI and others get bland mush (hint: it's your foundations, not your tool) Where AI quietly becomes dangerous - the confident subdivision advice that could cost hundreds of thousands Why a hallucination isn't a lie, it's a plausible answer that isn't real Staying the creative director: the part of your work that never gets outsourced The automation trap, and why two good posts beat twenty bland ones Keeping your business off the tool - own your foundations in a platform that's yours A line worth sitting with: "You're the creative director. Creativity sits under your role and it doesn't get outsourced." - Rhiannon Lee Rough timestamps: 00:00 - Nobody's the expert: cutting the AI noise 03:44 - The tools Rhiannon actually uses (and how) 12:00 - Where AI gives dangerous answers 15:35 - Image generation: concept, not detail 21:27 - The pendulum swinging back to human voices 33:10 - You're the conductor, not the cast 43:36 - Keep it off the tool: own your foundations 53:00 - Where to find Rhiannon About our guest: Rhiannon Lee is the founder and designer behind Oleander and Finch, and a sought-after mentor helping creatives build the systems behind their businesses. Her program Studio Build runs over six weeks, with the next round starting 7 July. Instagram: @oleander_and_finch Website: oleanderandfinch.com Ready to back yourself? If this episode lit something up, come and see how BuildHer Collective helps women build, renovate and develop with confidence. Explore DevelopHer at buildhercollective.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  2. Colour, Mood and Buyer Psychology with Cat Brown of Arch Melbourne

    2 June

    Colour, Mood and Buyer Psychology with Cat Brown of Arch Melbourne

    We spend so much time obsessing over layouts, floorplans, stone selections and budgets… but what if the thing that actually stops people in their tracks is something far less obvious? In this episode of Building With BuildHer, Rebeka sits down with Cat Brown from Arch Melbourne to unpack the power of styling, colour and thoughtful finishes - and why creating emotional connection can help propel sales results. Known for Arch Melbourne’s distinctive styling approach (think layered textures, statement furniture, unexpected colour moments and homes that feel anything but cookie-cutter), Cat shares why styling goes far beyond making things “look pretty”. It is about shaping perception, creating mood and helping buyers picture a better version of life within a home. Rebeka and Cat dive into why developers often overcapitalise in some areas (hello built-in joinery everywhere) while overlooking the details that create real impact, how thoughtful styling can soften newer builds and make them feel warm and lived-in, and why neutral does not always need to mean safe—or worse… grey. They also unpack why furniture planning should happen earlier than most people think, how styling influences photography and buyer engagement, why “scroll-stopping” moments matter in a world where buyers first meet your property online, and the role colour, texture and art play in making homes memorable. Whether you renovate, build or develop property for profit, this episode is a reminder that beautiful homes are not built through finishes alone - they are built through feeling. And buyers remember how a home made them feel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min
  3. The Flip That Gave Lauren the Confidence to Quit Her Job

    19 May

    The Flip That Gave Lauren the Confidence to Quit Her Job

    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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min
  4. From 30% to 54% ROI: How Zerin Is Scaling Smarter with Every Project

    21 Apr

    From 30% to 54% ROI: How Zerin Is Scaling Smarter with Every Project

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min
  5. From Data to Decision: Where AI Helps in Property Development (and Where It Doesn’t)

    31 Mar

    From Data to Decision: Where AI Helps in Property Development (and Where It Doesn’t)

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    9 min
  6. Understanding the Role of Brokers in Real Estate Financing

    19 Mar

    Understanding the Role of Brokers in Real Estate Financing

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    14 min
  7. Using Media as a Market Guide

    4 Mar

    Using Media as a Market Guide

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  8. Don't Buy Until You Can Defend the Deal

    2 Mar

    Don't Buy Until You Can Defend the Deal

    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.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    10 min
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4.9
out of 5
128 Ratings

About

Rebeka Morgan from BuildHer Collective chat about all things building and renovating and everyday people making their mark in the building industry.

Information

  • Creator
    BuildHer Collective
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BuildHer Collective
  • Show Website
    Building With BuildHer

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