“Her family’s business, Elite Building Services, run by her and her husband Nick, has built a reputation on quality, trust and transparency, which is underpinned by their mantra ‘Bringing people home’. An intonation she came up with during a business group session that still brings tears to her eyes, Rebecca proudly believes creating homes is about more than a build; it is designing a place for memories to be made and cherished.
But all of that emotive power of creating, as any business owner knows, requires hard work along with heart.
To say Rebecca has a handle on hard work, and all crucial parts of the business is an understatement. From customer liaison, operations, quality control, marketing and accounts, her Business Partner award submission reads like a proposal created by a large multiskilled team, not a party of one.
Noted by the judges for her success in strategy and communication, what makes Rebecca truly unique is her belief that a job site open door policy ensures that her clients feel involved in their journey from contract signature to key handover. Staying active in her local community, charitable ventures, and developing improved systems and processes, have all powerfully added to Elite’s growth, and are a representation of the perfect ‘off-site’ skills needed in a robust business partner.
Now, try adding motherhood, a law degree and COVID-19 into the mix. It would be enough to overwhelm some – but not Rebecca. In the wise words ‘what doesn’t break you, makes you’, she knows this is true more than many.
A little over a decade ago, Rebecca’s life took an unexpected turn. A potentially fatal car accident turned the law student, volunteer and social butterfly’s life upside down. Six days in hospital, a month in rehabilitation, followed by countless physical and neurological therapies, it took months for her to be able to dress and shower, let alone see her way clear to be a wife, mother to 12-year-old James, and manage two businesses. But not only was Rebecca a miracle survivor, it also turned out that a second marvel arrived nine months later, in the form of her youngest son Harrison.
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Rebecca’s eagerness to help others though is as much about what she has learnt about the importance of personal wellbeing as it is to do with learnt business savvy. With the physical challenges post-accident came the emotional ones, resulting in depression, anxiety and PTSD, on top of chronic panic pain and the constant rounds of medical appointments.
Balancing it all, she admits is a work in progress, but every day she takes another step forward in confidence.
‘In the last 12 months I have learnt so much,’ she says. ‘I have not only started to talk publicly about my story and the things that I struggle with, I have also taught myself to prioritise my own care. I meditate, I journal and I make sure I diarise quality time with my family and be less hard on myself. Finally!’
Not surprisingly, her Business Partner award has also come as a lovely pinnacle and reward for her growth, honesty and humility.
And something makes us all believe not only will Elite and Rebecca continue to grow, her positivity and strength will shine a light on everyone she comes into contact with. Some might say that is the real miracle in her story.”
Click here read the beautiful piece in it’s entirety written by the very talented Anne-Maree Brown for the HIA Housing Magazine about my recent HIA Award win as well as sharing part of my journey to get here. It is a very touching piece that makes me cry every time. Thank you again Anne-Marie.