Episode
E93: VC funding and building a life with intention with Kira Mahal, founder of MotivatePT
- Podcast
- Bump to Business Owner
- Published
- Nov 20, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 3069
- Processing state
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- https://bumptobusinessowner.com/e93-kira-mahal
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Summary
Kira Mahal has never taken the conventional route - from holding a marketing event in lieu of interviewing for jobs, to leaving a lucrative finance career with no plan, no savings and no clear vision. Self-described as "barking mad", Kira and her husband went all into their business. On the cusp of a life and business changing corporate contract, the world went into lockdown and they lost £1.8million in VC funding. Pivoting back to their B2C business, Kira turned to the journals she'd been keeping along the way and put into practice what she learnt from her experience. If you're thinking about taking the leap without a clear plan, VC funding, or the endless tension that is being a founder and a mum, listen in. Takeaways: Kira's career journey from Young Enterprise, always taking the unconventional route to the idea for MotivatePT Going all in without a clear vision or plan - both Kira and her husband! VC funding - the barriers and why it isn't for everyone Crystalising your business vision by making mistakes and testing the market Starting a second corporate arm, VC funding and the pandemic Refocusing on the original business and growing more sustainably Journalling and the insights it gave Kira, reality v rose tinted glasses of the moment Kira's personal, and the wider culture's, changing attitude to wellness We're not just building a business, we're building a life Resources: Young Enterprise: www.young-enterprise.org.uk/ Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Kira Mahal and MotivatePT 02:36 Kira's Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship 05:32 The Birth of MotivatePT: A Personal Mission 08:14 Navigating the Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business 11:02 The Shift to Women-Centric Wellness 13:51 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business Growth 16:34 Funding Challenges and the VC…