Building With BuildHer

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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