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

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

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