How One Mum Built A Start-up That Cuts Your Energy Bills In Half Work It Like A Mum podcast

How One Mum Built a Start-up That Cuts Your Energy Bills in Half

3d ago 33:29

Content provided by Elizabeth Willetts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Elizabeth Willetts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we chat with Coralie Woodhead — renewable energy expert, mum of two, and co-founder of Vimma Energy. After 10 years in the solar industry, Coralie left her corporate career to launch a start-up while raising two young children.

She shares the highs and lows of building a business from scratch, managing co-founders, and creating a product that helps households save on energy costs — all while juggling family life.

What We Cover:

Taking the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship
Building a start-up with co-founders and defining roles clearly
Launching a product in the clean energy space and making it accessible for everyday users
Balancing motherhood and business ownership
Overcoming challenges as a first-time founder
Strategic decision-making, trialling products, and choosing the right technology
The importance of support networks, mentorship, and finding the right business coach

Key Takeaways:

Start-up life is messy but rewarding: flexibility can make a huge difference for working parents.
Co-founder dynamics matter: leverage strengths and clearly define responsibilities.
You don’t need to “look like” a founder: passion, focus, and determination drive results.
Learning on the job is normal: don’t be afraid to make mistakes and iterate.
Mentorship and support networks are game-changers: find someone who’s been there before.
Innovation can be simple: making clean energy practical and accessible doesn’t have to be complicated.

Why Listen:

A must-listen for mum founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone juggling business and family. It’s packed with honest insights on building a business, managing co-founders, launching a practical product in the energy space, and creating the flexibility that makes life with kids possible — all without the usual glossy start-up narrative.

Show Links:

Connect with our host Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Coralie on LinkedIn here

Visit the Vimma Energy website here

Support the show

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Chapters

1. Welcome And Sponsor Message; (00:00:00)

2. Meet Coralie And Vimmer’s Mission; (00:02:01)

3. Why Many Skip Solar Panels; (00:03:38)

4. Battery-First Model Explained; (00:05:05)

5. Solar Plus Battery Vs Battery Only; (00:08:24)

6. Off-Peak Tariffs And Daily Use; (00:12:02)

7. Hardware, Sizing, And Installation; (00:15:20)

8. Costs, Warranty, And Payback; (00:19:12)

9. Tariff Compatibility And Setup; (00:21:13)

10. Coralie’s Path Into Clean Energy; (00:21:59)

11. Founding Team And Roles; (00:24:01)

12. Funding Choices And Focus; (00:27:02)

13. Motherhood, Flexibility, And Work; (00:29:08)

14. Advice For First-Time Founders; (00:31:12)

15. Biggest Challenges And Support; (00:33:14)

179 episodes