The Biggest Obstacle for Women Renovators

The podcast for women who want to create income and a life they love through renovating

Join serial renovator Bernadette Janson as she explores the ins and outs of renovating for profit!

Bernadette has over 30 years of experience in the renovating for profit business. She’s a registered nurse, a renovator, a mum, and a teacher.

155 – Nicole and Jay McCann: Exploring the Power of Team Renovations

At The School of Renovating our focus is to uplift women through our Wonder Women program to become stellar renovators. I recently chatted to one of our Wonder Women, Nicole, and her husband and partner, Jay. I have the pleasure of sharing with you that they have successfully completed their first for-profit ‘team renovation’ in Wollongong. It is inspiring to see their success working as a team!

Our purpose at The School of Renovating is to empower women to take control of their lives through renovating. The reality, though, is that it can also involve the input of a few good men. Many of us do have good men in our lives and their support often gives us wings so we can fly.

Watch the Episode on Video:

Nicole and Jay McCann: Exploring the Power of Team Renovations

  • [01:41] The value of coaching program, mentorship and community
  • [02:30] 80% of Wonder Women Diamonds have on going reno projects
  • [04:05] What got Nicole and Jay interested in renovating
  • [05:35] Nicole’s trainings in renovating
  • [07:55] Nicole and Jay’s first project 
  • [10:40] Renovation challenges amidst Covid-19
  • [14:13] First project profit
  • [14:29] Working as a team
  • [16:04] A husband’s support makes a massive difference
  • [17:40] Families that renovate together, stay together
  • [19:21] Nicole and Jay’s secret sauce
  • [20:57] Nicole and Jay’s next project
  • [23:48] The biggest challenge in renovating

We have the same goals. We both enjoy the property and we always have, it is a common interest …
~ Jay McCann

Wonder Women Renovators

If you are to succeed in the business of renovating, it is essential to develop your craft. Often that means paying for education programs that give you the tools you need to see a project through; from picking out the right property, to hiring your trades and selling the renovated property for a profit.

I am proud that our  Wonder Women Program offers so much more than just information. It is a coaching program that offers mentorship and community. We keep our community small so we can have a personal approach. We strive to understand everyone’s problems and challenges so that we can help them get results. 

Our numbers speak for themselves. Of the twenty women on our top-level Diamond Program, 80% of them are currently active with renovating; and 20% are in the process of securing a property to renovate. I am extremely proud of those numbers. I think it is a testament to the fact that what we do works!

How The Team Of Nicole And Jay McCann Got Into Renovations For Profit

Nicole and Jay, their two boys and a couple of dogs live on the coast and love going to the beach. They have a business that involves apple products and Nicole used to work as a makeup artist. 

Nicole’s interest in renovating was piqued while she was flipping through a magazine one day when she was waiting for one of her kids to finish a swimming lesson. She came across an article that introduced her to the idea of renovating for profit. She then started actively following people who were already doing it and looking at courses that could give her the skills she needed to start in the renovating business. Nicole said:

One thing led to another, Jay was keen and we took the leap.

Once Nicole and Jay had decided renovating for profit was a business they would like to explore, they took some time to get their finances sorted out. They asked themselves a number of important questions including:

  • What does the business of renovating involve?
  • How much does it cost?
  • Do we need to have the cash to start a renovation project?
  • What does a renovation entail?
  • What will make us money?
  • What will result in us losing money?

Education Is The Key To Avoiding Expensive Mistakes On Your Renovation Projects

I have often heard people say things like: “A $5000 dollar course. What a waste of money!” Nicole pointed out the absurdity of this statement when she said:

I feel like you could easily make more than a $5000 mistake by just not knowing what you have to do.

Ours was not the first program Nicole did. It is important that you find the course that works for you. One size doesn’t fit all. The first course Nicole did was Sheree Barber’s course. It was this platform that showed Nicole that renovating for profit was possible and doable. She and Jay were not in the position to start renovating yet, but Nicole was hungry for knowledge. She wanted to know what other people were doing. Nicole went on to complete another handful of courses before coming to The School of Renovating. She says that she really enjoyed the community and how we nurture each other in our program. 

Nicole And Jay’s First Team Renovation Project

Nicole was, and still is, working for Jay’s business in an administrative capacity when they finally decided it was time to jump into renovating. Covid made it difficult for Nicole to continue with her freelance makeup artist business. So, Nicole and Jay sat down and evaluated their options.

They had an investment property in Wollongong that had shown good capital growth. In August, they decided to take the leap and sold the property. When they were closing the deal on their property with the Real Estate Agent, they asked if they had any other properties for them.

It turns out the agent had a very interesting property for them. It was a little house in a lifestyle village. It was a small entry point, since for that kind of property you are just buying the house. You lease the land it is on. 

They spent just $250,000. There were no stamp duties. All they had to do was renovate the house and resell it. 

Overcoming Renovation Challenges

Every renovating project comes with its own set of challenges. For Jay and Nicole their first stumbling block was the two week shutdown of trades due to Covid as soon as they had concluded the purchase of their property.

The house was a demountable home. The walls were made from freezer foam with an aluminum frame. So, they were not able to make any changes to the walls.

Their final challenge was the time it took to sell the property once it was renovated. Most of the people looking to buy a house in a lifestyle estate don’t have cash; they have to sell the homes they are living in first. Nicole and Jay had a lot of interest and a few offers, but they all hinged on the sale of another property. The delay meant that they had to pay the lease for the land every week until they sold it.

Defining The Scope Of The Work

Before Nicole and Jay started their renovation, the bathroom and laundry were combined into a single small space that was not at all functional. They said the bedrooms were okay but the kitchen needed a lot of work. 

Nicole and Jay took the house back to its bare bones and changed the whole layout. They were able to put double doors out to the backyard and install a deck, creating the desirable “inside–outside” that the other properties in the estate do not have. In the end the house had a really nice flow. Nicole explained:

So literally we did everything: paint, flooring, new kitchen, new bathroom, laundry, carpets, curtains, paint  everywhere… We even had to repaint the outside of it. So we pretty much did everything except put a new roof on.

This project was a great kick start on Nicole’s new career. They bought the property for $250,000 and sold it for $420,000, making a profit of roughly $100,000.

Working On Team Renovation Projects As A Husband-Wife Team

We call ourselves “She Renovates”. We are about empowering women financially through renovating. I have to say it, though, having a few good men in the mix is an awesome asset. It gives you an incredible competitive advantage if you and your partner are able to make decisions together.

In Nicole and Jay’s case, Jay told me that he is colourblind, so all of the design and styling is up to Nicole. When it comes to looking at a property, they ask themselves and each other what they want to achieve with the house, whether it is the layout or design. Jay said:

At the end of the day, this is Nicole’s passion… I’m here to support her.

That support makes a massive difference. My husband is in the building industry. He has next to no involvement in my projects, unless I need him and then I know I have his backing. I think that’s really important because it’s your confidence that really pushes you on and is the secret to success. 

Nicole and Jay highlighted the importance of reaching out to other people when you disagree with each other. On their current project, they have asked the opinion of the other members of our Wonder Women Diamond community as well as their estate agent. 

The Secret To Success For A Family-Run Renovating Business

I have a theory that families that renovate together, stay together. It can be the glue that binds, provided you are both on the same page, working towards the same goals. Every team has their own renovation secret sauce.

Nicole and Jay have both always enjoyed property. They designed and built the first house they owned because they didn’t like what was available on the market. 

Jay says that while he and Nicole are in the renovating business together, Nicole is in the driving seat:

This is Nicole’s passion and her drive, so she can drive it and, I’m more than happy to sit in the passenger’s seat for it. So we have a common interest, but there’s only one cook in the kitchen.

They are both keen to keep learning and growing. Their future goals are:

  • Short-term: Building up cash so that they can do larger projects with at least two projects that create $100,000 profit.
  • Medium-term: Move into a bigger forever family home.
  • Long-term: Make renovating a full-time business.

It was really great to chat with Nicola and Jay. Their team is approaching their renovation business with level heads and great discipline, figuring out what they want to achieve and how long it should take them to do that.

Check out The School of Renovating Wonder Women Program to find out how you too can start a successful renovating business.

Connect with The School of Renovating
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    Share it!

    If you loved the episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it on social media or left a review! 

    Amazing Free Content!LeaLea707 via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 05/22/22
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    “I have been listening to this Podcast for a few years now. I love how Bernadette freely shares her experiences and knowledge of renovating and how to create wealth through property. There are many people out there doing a similar things but Bernadette is the real deal. Her down to earth approach reasonates with me and I’ve learned lots from her. I’d highly recommend She Renovates!”
    Just brilliant!fbegeng via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 03/16/22
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    “I've been binge-listening to this podcast for the past week and it's absolutely brilliant. Bernadette has amassed so much knowledge and wisdom about renovating and she shares it generously and in a really easy to understand way that's inspired me to give it a go. Her advice is practical and I love that she approaches renovating in a really ethical and open-hearted way. Every episode honestly is gold. I also love that each episode is quite short and addresses a specific topic without any waffle. Thank you so much for this podcast!”
    Practical and honest adviceLuke Marland via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 05/12/21
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    “Hands down best renovation podcast there is. There’s no scams or tricks here and Bernadette provides honest and practical advice that you can actually apply to your life. There’s also great insights into the property industry (not just renovating) and Bernadette’s simple approach gives you tools to mitigate risk and fuels confidence to start your own projects.”
    Amazing insights and adviceJennaBrad via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 03/22/21
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    “Bernadette is an inspiration. Warm, open and a fountain of wisdom and advice. I’ve learned so much about everything from renovating to selling to creating an independent future from this podcast. Look forward to every episode!”
    Practical Magic For All RenovatorsJames’ Inspiration via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 12/15/20
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    “If you need to break through any of your limitations to find the joy and success in renovation, Bernadette is your inspiration and advisor with decades of experience. Her down to earth, practical style of sharing what works and how to keep control of any renovating project is worth tuning in for - week after week. I have done a few renovations in the (distant) past and now feel motivated to go again, this time for a change of pace and new horizons. This podcast shows the way. Thanks Bernadette, James Burgin”
    My Guilty Pleasure..Tanned Greek via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 10/26/20
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    “Just dropping by to show my support for your podcast Bernadette. I look forward to each episode and I am never disappointed with the content. It’s such a generous offering and compared to many of the other property podcasts I subscribe to, yours is the clear winner. Perfectly suited to people embarking on a new renovator journey but equally suited to more experienced folk like myself - there’s something for everyone. Keep up the great work. Your honesty is so refreshing! I look forward to future learning and hearing more student success stories. Best, David Michos (And yes... a bloke) 😉”
    You would have to be crazy to miss this !!Lifestylepp via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 10/15/20
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    “If you have any interest at all in renovating, you would be crazy not to listen to every episode! As someone who has done many courses and a project manager by trade, i learn something every time. Bernadette is so genuine and generous and totally relatable. Do yourself a favour and subscribe now !”
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    Want more?

    If you want to meet up with a group of savvy renovators. I would say come over and join She Renovates Facebook Group. It’s a completely FREE Facebook group and it is growing at the rate of knots. We hit over a thousand members just recently, and now it seems to have picked up momentum. They are all savvy renovating women and men working their little hearts out to live a better life through renovating.

    The only membership you need to grow your renovation business…

    Wonder Women is a combination of live sessions and pre-recorded content to help you get what you need, when you need it. I know that you’re the expert and you’ve got all of your subject knowledge nailed – now it’s time to build the business behind your renovation projects and stop being the worlds best kept secret. 

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