Building With BuildHer

Most of us think a feasibility is a spreadsheet. It isn't. It's a decision-making tool, and the thinking behind the numbers is what tells you what to put in them.   In this solo episode Rebeka takes you behind the scenes as she helps her two boys, Liam and Ben, assess a live site for their first project: where the value is hidden, what to look for, and how to decide if a deal is a go, a no-go...

We'd all like to believe we make property decisions with a calculator. The truth is messier. Doubt, second-guessing, and a market that never sits still all get a vote.   In this episode Rebeka sits down with Louise Woodcroft to talk about what it actually takes to make the hard calls in property and renovation: when to trust the numbers, when to back yourself through the doubt, and how to kee...

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 fo...

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 p...

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&hel...

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. Zeri...

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...

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...

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 belo...

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...

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 clarit...

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...

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 f...

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 whi...

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 pro...

In this episode, we sit down with DevelopHer Leanne Barbaro to unpack the journey of building her family home through a volume builder — and the gold is in the lessons learned.  We talk through how volume building offers cost efficiencies but requires savvy planning to avoid cookie-cutter pitfalls. You’ll hear her tips on what to prioritise (hint: lighting!), how outdoor structure...

Let’s face it—your Pinterest board might have champagne taste, but your project budget is the reality check you need to consider. In this episode, Rebeka and BHC's Head of Interiors Rebecca, dive into the heart of what it  really means to design smarter, not pricier. The key? Understanding the cost implications of your design choices from day one—and learning where a small t...

This week, we dive deep into the world of tapware with Rhys Beal from ABI Interiors—unpacking how this once purely functional hardware has evolved into a style statement and investment decision all on its own. You’ll get the inside scoop on how tapware has transformed over the years, moving beyond chrome to a stunning palette of finishes and materials. Rhys shares everything you didn&r...

You’ve put your heart (and plenty of hard-earned money) into creating a beautiful home. But when it comes time to sell, it’s not just about showcasing the finishes, the fixtures, or the floor plan—it’s about selling a lifestyle. Cheyne Toomey of Spacecraft Media joins us in this episode to share the secret sauce of a successful sale: photos that don’t just show a hous...

In this episode, we chat with Kelly McCloskey from The Feng Shui Girl, a passionate expert in Feng Shui, uncovering how this ancient Chinese art of harmonising energy in spaces can directly influence your well-being, and even, property value. You'll get insights on how incorporating Feng Shui into your property design can enhance the flow of energy and attract higher-value buyers. Kelly break...

Lighting is one of those things that, when done right, you don’t even notice it, it just feels right—but when done wrong, it's so obvious and uncomfortable. Enter the importance of lighting design!  In this episode, we chat with Jodie Meier from About Space, who shares why good lighting is about more than just picking pretty fixtures—it’s about creating mood, bala...

Ever walked into a home that just feels right? It’s not just about colour or finishes—it’s about the moments built into the design. In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Papas , Head of Interior Design at BuildHer Collective, to talk about the importance of shaping a home’s form before even thinking about colour. Bec shares her own experience designing her family home,...

When a devastating storm left DevelopHer Roxy’s home in ruins, she faced the daunting task of rebuilding—not just her house, but her entire approach to home design. In this episode, Roxy shares how she turned a challenging situation into an opportunity to build smarter, proving that a beautiful, high-quality home doesn’t have to come with an overwhelming price tag. From navigatin...

In this fun episode with Pip Brett, founder of JUMBLED, we dive into all things interior design, art, and her exciting latest project, a renovated bank turned luxury short-stay accommodation in Malong NSW named Sona.  She opens up about her creative process, how she plays with colour, and why supporting Aussie artists is so important to her. Pip also talks about how art can completely transfo...

In this episode, we dive into the art of renovating in phases—smart, strategic, and family-focused! Join us as we sit down with Anna Crawford, an incredible BuildHer and DevelopHer who has been part of our community for six years, and who we believe has mastered the balance of juggling a growing family and an ever-evolving home renovation. We chat about her beautiful latest project in Kew Ea...