Laura Mueller-Soppart
“You are not qualified to judge your own qualifications. Always go for it. ”
#WomenWhoBuild, meet Laura Mueller Soppart, the incredible founder of Built Interest, a company centered on re-designing design. Built Interest has shifted the focus of Real Estate Development from its traditional norms to the more holistic interaction of the built environment with the public realm. Laura’s work on Built Interest makes her, without a doubt, a Women To Watch and the “Coolest Person In The Room” given her recent feature in Paper Magazine!
Laura, can you tell us a little bit about your background- What was your first introduction to real estate and the built environment?
I grew up in Chicago, where the impact of urban design is profound. Neighborhood lines dictated stark differences in housing or retail corridors, and I recognized from an early age that those differences really shaped so many different types of communities, amongst my friends and neighbors. So when I studied Political Science and Economics, it was often from urban or infrastructure standpoint. The thesis was clear: how a city is built directly changes lives.
What inspired you to pursue it as a career?
After working on several levels of government, including interning at the White House and European Parliament or at the State House of Massachusetts, I was curious to pursue city government. However, it was clear that the connection between public-private partnerships was most influential at the city level. So I thought, "Hey, why don't I sit at that side of the table." I remember reading about the Domino Sugar Factory - and made it my mission to jump start my career at the table where I believe some of the most impactful - and fun! - decisions are being made.
What was your transition from a corporate career to starting your own venture?
Working on the Domino Sugar Factory and other Two Trees projects was great. I had a tremendous amount of responsibility and autonomy. Yet, when it came time to innovation and responding to changes in the market and consumer demands, I was not finding the opportunities there any longer. So I started my own firm, with the conviction that other developers were ready to take on the challenge of emerging trends like - co-working, co-living, sustainability or investing in retail tenants. I had a client from day one doing the master-planning and eventually all the design and development management for Toronto's first food hall on the ground floor of the Google building. From there, I continued to engage directly with developers to bring fresh ideas, management skills, and cross industry competency to a board room that rarely hears that perspective.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Deciding on whether to grow a consulting agency or continue to stay personally involved in the work.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
Not scrolling on Instagram, unfortunately. I definitely have the most ideas traveling. Real estate serves the same functions around the entire world, but in every place, real estate and public spaces manifest uniquely. Taking notes on these details, distilling my opinion on the impact of these details, and sharing on Instagram, actually - super helpful in cataloguing my inspirations!
What do you envision for Built Interest in the coming years?
In the coming years, the focus is on the future of living. Our society's demographics are changing, affordability is a bonafide crisis, the definition of 'family' is evolving, climate change is here, and yet, the way we build our homes has not fundamentally changed. The plan is to not only tackle exciting development opportunities, but to also get involved in the political shifts that need to happen in institutions like City Council to REBNY, so the industry can continue to meet to the market demand.
What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering the industry?
You are not qualified to judge your own qualifications. Always go for it.
(Photos by Brogues Cozens-McNeelance @itsbrogues)
