Interview with BuildHer Collective Founder, Rebeka Morgan

If there is one person we admire in the design and construction industry it's Rebeka Morgan from BuildHer Collective. Rebeka has a vast range of experiences and has worked in the construction industry for over 14 years. She began her journey in the world of design and construction by working in her family's floor covering business when she was a teenager. She then went on to become a general manager of a commercial construction company and is now the founder of BuildHer Collective. To add to that, she also runs her own business, Beirin Projects, which specialises in high-end renovation and construction in Melbourne's Inner North suburbs. Oh, and did we mention she has a young family? This woman can literally do it all! We couldn't help but take the chance to interview Rebeka and discover where she gets her passion for empowering women in the construction industry and how she does everything she does. She also shares some valuable advice to any woman wanting to get into the renovation and construction industry and talks about how the courses she runs through BuildHer Collective could help you. If you're looking for some extra girl-boss inspiration, then you're going to want to keep reading.

Hi Rebeka! Thanks for being one of our Style Makers. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I am a registered builder and successful residential developer. My partner, John, and I have worked on many projects together and we have a small pile of children to run around after. Renovating or building your own home is one of the biggest investments you can make and BuildHer Collective are helping women make it a fun, rewarding and empowering experience.

What is BuildHer Collective?

BuildHer Collective is an online program and community that helps women build, renovate and develop for profit!

Where did the idea for BuildHer Collective start and what makes you so passionate about creating a space that empowers and equips women in building and design?

The idea came about because we knew so many women were having issues building or renovating. They would come to me and ask for advice, but often this was at a point when it was too late to repair the relationships or feelings! So, we decided to change that and create a resource and pathway to get it right first time. Our DevelopHers course came from having many women want to do what John and I do. We build and renovate as a lifestyle and love it so much, so a secondary program was created to teach this too!

Where did your love for design and business come from?

I have always loved design and spend far too much time looking at beautiful compositions, or houses or curations!  I think if you love building then design is a natural progression and vice-versa. I also love business because it is a pathway to so many things, but for me primarily freedom and complete autonomy. We love helping other women achieve the same and have had such an amazing time building our business alongside theirs 

Did you always know you wanted to start your own company, or did that evolve over time?

This is business number 3 or 4... One of which didn’t even really get off the ground, another is our building business and the other was a business in school fundraising which I sold to a UK firm just before starting BuildHer Collective. I love growing and creating, whether in business or houses. So working in this industry and running a business alongside so many wonderful people is incredible!

What are the 3 biggest lessons you’ve learnt through your years as both a business owner and property developer?

• It is always a journey! The things that you think are sure things never seem to work and somehow when you agonise over making this move or that it can be a roaring success.
• You cannot be everything to everyone – so be true to your vision and do what makes you happy.   
• Have fun with it and get in the flow. At certain times in business, you will be in a state of flow – things will be moving and working for and with you and the world will be rocking. Enjoy this and ride the wave. There will also be times when you feel like it is a relentless slog uphill. Take a moment and reflect on why it is different and map your pathway back to the flow!

"I also love business because it is a pathway to so many things, but for me primarily freedom and complete autonomy. We love helping other women achieve the same and have had such an amazing time building our business alongside theirs "

- Rebeka Morgan, Founder of BuildHer Collective

Can you tell us a bit about the different courses you run through BuildHer Collective?

We do have a few! And more in the pipelines!

Build-like-a-BuildHer is our signature course and helps women build and renovate – it is really great for people doing their own home who need to get it right the first time!

DevelopHer’s Masterclass is our renovating and developing for-profit course. This is for people that are doing it already and want to level up and join the community and also for people that want to take back control and design their own life!

What are some of your go-to suppliers when it comes to the materials and furniture selections you include in your development projects?

There are so many that we love for different reasons! It feels mean to list a few and not mention others!

We love Haymes Paint for our paint, Lights, Lights, Lights for Lighting, Woodcut for flooring, Godfrey Hirst for carpet, RMS traders for stone and paving, Signorio for stone benchtops, ABI interiors, Phoenix and Faucet Stromen for tapware. There really are too many and that is before we start to furnish the home!

BuildHer Collective also has a podcast (that Lisa, our wonderful founder, was also featured on). Talk to us about some of the people you interview for your podcast and why you chose to podcast to connect with your audience?

 We love long-form conversations – often issues are complex and have a variety of different solutions or ways you can explain. It allows us to speak to amazing people in the industry, like the lovely Lisa, and to be able to share our stories and others. It is also a platform that I use a lot personally, so I know the benefits!

Do you have any exciting projects coming up that you’d like to share or let our design community know about?

Yes, I do, we have so many exciting collabs and projects in the pipeline that I would really love to share! But, unfortunately, you can only share when you can – so I would welcome people to follow along on Insta or the newsletter and some of our super fun offers, curations, courses and events will be communicated soon!