From passion to purpose: the birth of RW Design

Rachel Horan, along with her business partner Robin White, saw an opportunity in the building and renovation industry. They understood that homeowners and builders needed more than just great designs – they needed guidance throughout the often-confusing process.

“This is a really confusing process,” Rachel explains. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, something as simple as a building consent application can feel like a minefield. We wanted to help people through that process.”

RW Design was born in 2017, built on Rachel and Robin’s combined expertise in architectural design and construction. The business quickly became known for its practical, down-to-earth approach, working on everything from large-scale builds to small renovations.

Overcoming early challenges: hiring the right people

Like many small businesses, RW Design faced its fair share of challenges in the early years, particularly when it came to hiring the right team. “You can’t just pull someone off the street and expect them to understand the New Zealand Building Code,” Rachel says. “We needed people who could see both design and construction – who had that practical common sense.”

It took time, but Rachel and Robin built a team that shared their commitment to making the building process easier for clients. They pride themselves on speaking the same language as their clients and leaving their ego at the door. “We’re not trying to be the best designers in the world. We’re just trying to solve people’s construction and architectural problems so they can get on and build what they need to within their timeframes and budget.”

Their reputation for being friendly, approachable, and solution-focused has led to their steady growth over the years, with most of their business coming from word-of-mouth referrals.

Growing with Prospa: funding that makes sense

As RW Design continued to grow, Rachel knew they needed to invest in their business. However, traditional banks weren’t making it easy. “I’ve lived in my house for 25 years, I have no mortgage, and still, the banks wouldn’t lend to me,” she recalls. “That’s when I turned to Prospa.”

Rachel first heard about Prospa through a mortgage consultant and was immediately drawn to how simple the process was. “Prospa just made it easy,” she says. “As a business owner, you don’t have time for endless paperwork and back-and-forths. They understood what we needed and got us sorted quickly.”

“Prospa just made it easy. As a business owner, you don’t have time for endless paperwork and back-and-forths. They understood what we needed and got us sorted quickly.”

Since then, RW Design has used a Prospa Small Business Loan to upgrade their website, making it easier for potential clients to get a sense of who they are and what they do. They’ve also used a Business Line of Credit, which has given them flexibility to manage cash flow through seasonal ebbs and flows. “The Line of Credit was invaluable,” Rachel says. “It gave us peace of mind. We didn’t always need to use it, but just knowing it was there took the pressure off.”

What’s next for RW Design?

Rachel and Robin have big plans for RW Design. A focus on attracting new clients, growing their team, and potentially expanding in New Zealand are all items on the agenda.

“We’d love to have a presence in places like Queenstown or Nelson, but everything would still feed into our main office,” Rachel explains. “It’s all about strategic growth.”

Their mission will remain the same: to help people navigate the complex world of design and construction with ease. “At the end of the day, we’re here to help,” Rachel says. “This industry is full of jargon and red tape. We take that stress away so our clients can focus on bringing their dream projects to life.”

And with Prospa by their side, Rachel knows they have the support to keep helping people build their dreams while growing RW Design at the same time.