We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Morgan Venetos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Morgan below.

Morgan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

I took the leap and went all in on starting my own. I was at a crossroads, either move forward and finish nursing school or take a chance on myself and get into real estate. I actually dropped out of school on the first day and bought my first house to renovate and resell two weeks later. During that project, I studied for and passed my real estate exam—and from that point on, there was no looking back. Over the next few years, I worked on getting my general contractor’s license and officially launched my own design-build and real estate firm. ( Real estate is brokered through My Home Group.)

Morgan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder of The Home Collective and The Build Collective, based in Phoenix, Arizona. We’re a full-service real estate, construction, and interior design company offering everything under one roof. Whether it’s helping a client purchase the right home, designing it to match their vision, or overseeing a full renovation, we’re a one-stop shop.

We focus on a white glove experience from concept to completion. That means we’re hands-on, deeply communicative, and hyper-detailed from day one. We serve homeowners, busy professionals, and investors alike. We fill the gap for people who don’t have the time or desire to juggle multiple vendors and just want someone they trust to take the lead.

What sets us apart is that we don’t copy and paste design. Every space is created based on our client’s lifestyle, personality, and how they want to feel in their home. It’s not just about trends for us, it’s about creating spaces that are livable, elevated, and uniquely theirs. And as a licensed general contractor and real estate professional, I can guide clients through the entire process. From purchase, to permitting, to the final styling touches—something very few others can offer.

I’m most proud of the resilience it took to build this business from the ground up, and the fact that we lead with service, integrity, and a deep care for the work. We’re not just behind the scenes, we’re on the job site, on call, and truly in it with our clients every step of the way.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about our brand, it’s this: we care deeply, we communicate clearly, and we deliver beautifully. From the first walk-through to the final install, our goal is to make the process seamless and actually enjoyable.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that trying to be liked by everyone is a fast track to burnout and misalignment. When I first started, I was so focused on being agreeable, polished, and “professional” in a way I thought clients expected. I didn’t want to ruffle feathers or turn anyone off, so I played it safe. I muted parts of my personality, my opinions, even my design instincts, out of fear that someone might not like it (or me).

Over time, I realized that not every client is meant for me, and I’m not meant for every client. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s been one of the most freeing realizations in my business. By showing up authentically, I’ve been able to attract clients who truly align with our firm’s values and vision—people who trust the process, respect the collaboration, and genuinely become part of the Home Collective family.

Being yourself doesn’t repel the right people, it actually helps them find you. And I’ve learned that being liked isn’t nearly as important as being respected, trusted, and true to who you are.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

At the end of the day, everything falls on you as the leader. Every mistake a team member makes is a reflection of something deeper; a gap in training, communication, or systems. Instead of getting frustrated or pointing fingers, I’ve learned to take full accountability and ask: Where’s the breakdown? What didn’t I provide? That shift changes everything.

It’s important to treat your team with respect, dignity, and humanity. You’ll go a lot further building trust than by being unapproachable or reactive. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to strengthen your business. When something goes wrong, dig into why, and then implement the systems and processes that prevent it from happening again.

Morale thrives when people feel heard, supported, and empowered. You need to foster real relationships and invest in your team. The more you pour into them, the more they’ll show up for the work and for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.homecollectiveco.com
• Instagram: @_thehomecollective
• Youtube: @thehomecollectiveaz
• Other: tik tok @thehomecollective

Image Credits

Stephanie with Life created @lifecreated , Camilla with Maria Camila @camilla_cct