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Some people have a knack for turning challenges into opportunities, and we have a DevelopHer story that is the perfect example!
J’s story is one of resilience, learning, and transformation—a journey that has taken her from a single-fronted Victorian renovation in Brunswick East to a stunning $5.7 million architectural home in Brisbane’s Teneriffe.
From Melbourne Lockdowns to a Big Leap
We first met J during Melbourne’s infamous COVID lockdowns. Life was already chaotic—she was juggling her MBA, a demanding legal career, and family life. On top of that, she took on a renovation project: transforming a single-fronted Victorian home in Brunswick East.
For J, this project wasn’t just about creating a beautiful home. It was her stepping stone into property development—a chance to learn, experiment, and build confidence. But as much as this first renovation laid the foundation for her journey, it was only the beginning.
Fast forward a few years, and J and her family made the bold decision to leave Melbourne for the sunny skies of Brisbane. This wasn’t just a geographical shift—it was a strategic move that came with its own set of challenges.
The Brisbane Transition
J’s husband was a commercial builder in Melbourne. To work in Queensland’s residential market, he needed to secure a residential building license, a process that required significant effort and time. Beyond meeting legal requirements, he saw this as an opportunity to refine his skills and position himself for success in Brisbane’s high-end property market.
To gain firsthand experience, he worked with Graya, one of Brisbane’s most prestigious construction firms. Known for their luxury residential builds, Graya gave him a deeper understanding of the standards and expectations in Brisbane’s top-tier market. This experience proved invaluable as he and J began their next project.
Finding Their Groove
Through this process, J learnt something about herself: while she didn’t want to become a full-time developer, she loved the parts she was great at: feasibility studies, planning, and making big-picture decisions became her focus. She left the construction details to her husband, creating the perfect balance.
This approach allowed J to continue excelling in her legal career while also playing a pivotal role in their development projects. By leaning into their individual strengths, J and her husband formed a dynamic team capable of taking on ambitious projects.
A Dream Home with Extraordinary Results
Their first major Brisbane project was ambitious—a stunning architectural home in the sought-after suburb of Teneriffe. Combining J’s planning expertise and her husband’s construction skills, the couple poured their vision and energy into every detail of the home.
The result? A breathtaking architectural home in Teneriffe that sold for an extraordinary $5.7 million, generating a life-changing circa $2 million profit. This wasn’t just about the money—it was about what the money represented. It was the reward for years of effort, sacrifice, and determination.
The financial freedom they gained from this project opened doors that might have taken decades to unlock through traditional career paths. It was a transformative moment for their family, both financially and emotionally.
The Realities Behind the Success
Let’s not sugarcoat it—it wasn’t an easy journey. From the emotional toll of moving into and then selling their dream home, to the stress of managing young kids, temporary rentals, and staging logistics, every step required resilience and hard work. But she embraced the learning curve and stayed focused on her goals, even when the road got tough.
As J reflects on the process, it’s clear that the sacrifices were worth it.
This month, J shared her story with the DevelopHers Inner Circle, offering insights, numbers, and learnings from her transformative journey. For anyone thinking about taking the leap into property development – or just looking for inspiration – J’s story is proof that with courage, strategy, and a vision, incredible things can happen.
Want to listen or read her story in full, as well as many other DevelopHers stories? Our DevelopHer Inner Circle membership gives you access to a back catalogue of student Deep-dives where you can look at all the projects, the numbers and most importantly the learnings from a real DevelopHers project.
Learn more about joining our community of brilliant women here.
