Candid Company: The Empowering Women Behind BuildHer Collective
A Q&A with Rebeka Morgan and Kribashini Hannon, co-founders of the online courses helping women build and renovate
Rebeka Morgan and Kribashini Hannon were holidaying in Italy when the two friends came upon the idea of co-founding a business to help women navigate the building and renovating process. Morgan, a registered builder and developer, and Hannon, a commercial development and project manager, have worked in the industry for more than a decade and met about 10 years ago while working for a commercial construction company. During that time, they realised that for the majority of residential building projects, women undertake most of the planning, coordinating and ordering in what is still a male-dominated industry. BuildHer Collective offers online courses and aims to empower women who are building or renovating with the necessary know-how. Houzz caught up with the duo to learn about their innovative enterprise, their unique offerings, and their pioneering practice.
Images by Dylan Lark, Aspect 11, of BuildHer Collective’s Alpha House project
Why did you found BuildHer Collective?
We were both being independently questioned about how to solve problems that our friends, and friends of friends, were having with builders or architects or some aspect of building. They were struggling to build their homes and felt they should automatically know what to do, and when. They were making big mistakes without knowing it and we felt strongly that it didn’t have to be like that – that we could help. That’s when we decided to do something about it. We thought, ‘How can we help people get it right the first time?’ And BuildHer Collective was born.
Why did you found BuildHer Collective?
We were both being independently questioned about how to solve problems that our friends, and friends of friends, were having with builders or architects or some aspect of building. They were struggling to build their homes and felt they should automatically know what to do, and when. They were making big mistakes without knowing it and we felt strongly that it didn’t have to be like that – that we could help. That’s when we decided to do something about it. We thought, ‘How can we help people get it right the first time?’ And BuildHer Collective was born.
What distinguishes your work?
We are experts in our field and use the projects we are building to show women how they too can do it. We find that by helping women understand the process and what to expect there is less frustration and disappointment. They are also better prepared and are on a level playing field. In turn, we think this helps the overall residential industry and benefits everyone, from the sole tradie to the larger builders and design practices, and of course our clients.
We have found that in most cases, females are doing most of the ordering and coordinating and are driving the vision and functionality of projects. So, the more prepared women are, the better it is for their family and/or relationships. We generally expect that a lot of what is in our course is shared with our clients’ partners.
One of our modules even covers how to set up your support system and how to identify your values with your family (partners and children), and we get loads of comments about how much they enjoy the exercise.
We are experts in our field and use the projects we are building to show women how they too can do it. We find that by helping women understand the process and what to expect there is less frustration and disappointment. They are also better prepared and are on a level playing field. In turn, we think this helps the overall residential industry and benefits everyone, from the sole tradie to the larger builders and design practices, and of course our clients.
We have found that in most cases, females are doing most of the ordering and coordinating and are driving the vision and functionality of projects. So, the more prepared women are, the better it is for their family and/or relationships. We generally expect that a lot of what is in our course is shared with our clients’ partners.
One of our modules even covers how to set up your support system and how to identify your values with your family (partners and children), and we get loads of comments about how much they enjoy the exercise.
How did you enter this field of work?
Kribashini: I am a building scientist and have a masters of project management. I have worked across the building industry as a construction project manager and even as a site manager once; at the moment I am currently also working in client-side commercial project management. I have always loved the built environment and, while growing up, was introduced to the field through family business.
Rebeka: I studied a bit of architecture and moved to a construction management degree, working as a quantity surveyor, project manager and eventually general manager of a commercial building company. I had a career change when my boss suggested I get a ‘house husband’ as I was working such long hours. I wanted to see my kids grow up so I started a business developing houses.
Kribashini: I am a building scientist and have a masters of project management. I have worked across the building industry as a construction project manager and even as a site manager once; at the moment I am currently also working in client-side commercial project management. I have always loved the built environment and, while growing up, was introduced to the field through family business.
Rebeka: I studied a bit of architecture and moved to a construction management degree, working as a quantity surveyor, project manager and eventually general manager of a commercial building company. I had a career change when my boss suggested I get a ‘house husband’ as I was working such long hours. I wanted to see my kids grow up so I started a business developing houses.
When did you start BuildHer Collective?
We are just over a year old now.
We are just over a year old now.
How has your business changed?
We initially started with the ‘Renovate the Right Way’ online course and now we are offering, to a select few, an opportunity to join our exclusive Masterclass, which guides them on how to renovate for profit. We started with the online course, and have since added events, workshops, weekends away and our year-long mentoring masterclass for the crazy cats who want to turn their hobby into reality.
We continually listen to feedback from our BuildHers, take up suggestions and add new things that we hear they need help with.
We initially started with the ‘Renovate the Right Way’ online course and now we are offering, to a select few, an opportunity to join our exclusive Masterclass, which guides them on how to renovate for profit. We started with the online course, and have since added events, workshops, weekends away and our year-long mentoring masterclass for the crazy cats who want to turn their hobby into reality.
We continually listen to feedback from our BuildHers, take up suggestions and add new things that we hear they need help with.
How has BuildHer Collective been received by consumers and industry professionals?
In general people have loved it. Especially in the construction industry where it is mainly male dominated, it is wonderful to have a group of women truly supporting each other, sharing ideas, concepts and contacts.
We do have the odd male with a massive case of FOMO, and it is a question that comes up often.
But it is amazing how supportive the construction industry and suppliers have been. They have been so lovely, extended our BuildHers great discounts, and are really supportive of women helping women.
In general people have loved it. Especially in the construction industry where it is mainly male dominated, it is wonderful to have a group of women truly supporting each other, sharing ideas, concepts and contacts.
We do have the odd male with a massive case of FOMO, and it is a question that comes up often.
But it is amazing how supportive the construction industry and suppliers have been. They have been so lovely, extended our BuildHers great discounts, and are really supportive of women helping women.
What has proven the greatest professional challenge?
Our greatest challenges have been managing time and finding the time for implementation. It takes a great investment of time to start a business and to build an online course.
Our greatest challenges have been managing time and finding the time for implementation. It takes a great investment of time to start a business and to build an online course.
What have you learnt about your industry that you wish you knew when you started?
The construction industry is like all industries, there is nuance to it, but if you are respectful to everyone, truly passionate about what you are doing and can communicate well, then people really want to help.
The construction industry is like all industries, there is nuance to it, but if you are respectful to everyone, truly passionate about what you are doing and can communicate well, then people really want to help.
When choosing sub-contractors or clients, what do you look for?
We are and have been quite selective with all of these – clients, subcontractors and industry professionals. We are looking for win-wins, mutual interests, an environment where everyone succeeds.
We are and have been quite selective with all of these – clients, subcontractors and industry professionals. We are looking for win-wins, mutual interests, an environment where everyone succeeds.
What are the deal breakers that make you reluctant to work with sub-contractors or clients?
If it feels wrong, it generally is wrong. Every time I have been hesitant and worried about a relationship it has been for good reason.
When working on projects, we are effectively ‘getting married’ professionally for a year or more – if there is tension in the beginning in that loved-up phase, then the end of that project will be trying and that’s not fun for anyone.
If it feels wrong, it generally is wrong. Every time I have been hesitant and worried about a relationship it has been for good reason.
When working on projects, we are effectively ‘getting married’ professionally for a year or more – if there is tension in the beginning in that loved-up phase, then the end of that project will be trying and that’s not fun for anyone.
What’s the best advice you can offer about managing a team?
We all have children so have flexible working arrangements to suit and as a result everyone is invested to the vision and the growth of BuildHer Collective.
We all have children so have flexible working arrangements to suit and as a result everyone is invested to the vision and the growth of BuildHer Collective.
How do you plan to grow or maintain your level of success?
Next year is definitely a year of growth, we’ll have a little more structure and time. Our team has grown from Kribashini and I, working part-time in our spare time, to a team of five, with a dedicated office space and times.
The plans are already in motion for more events, more courses and greater partnerships.
Next year is definitely a year of growth, we’ll have a little more structure and time. Our team has grown from Kribashini and I, working part-time in our spare time, to a team of five, with a dedicated office space and times.
The plans are already in motion for more events, more courses and greater partnerships.
Any recommendations for software or apps that help you run your business well?
We use what I think is a massive range of apps, from social media including Facebook, Instagram and Tailwind (a social media scheduling app), to customer relationships such as Infusionsoft (sales, marketing and customer relationship management software), Clickfunnels (a sales and marketing funnel) and Microsoft Office – and then there is the course software and the websites.
But we can still put more systems in place. I love systemising and finding the easy way to do things – it frees up time to do what we are good at.
We use what I think is a massive range of apps, from social media including Facebook, Instagram and Tailwind (a social media scheduling app), to customer relationships such as Infusionsoft (sales, marketing and customer relationship management software), Clickfunnels (a sales and marketing funnel) and Microsoft Office – and then there is the course software and the websites.
But we can still put more systems in place. I love systemising and finding the easy way to do things – it frees up time to do what we are good at.
Tell us
Which points in this interview resonate with your own personal or professional experience? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Missed last month’s industry interview? Catch up with Houzz’s Q&A with the founder of Donna Guyler Design.
Which points in this interview resonate with your own personal or professional experience? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Missed last month’s industry interview? Catch up with Houzz’s Q&A with the founder of Donna Guyler Design.
What do you do?
We help women build and navigate design and building, whether they are creating their dream home, renovating, or developing for resale. We developed an online course to help women have a better idea of what to expect as well as the industry processes.