Female Founders: Leadership and Startup Consultant Mutiat Adebowale On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder

As a part of our series about Women Founders, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mutiat Adebowale.

Mutiat Adebowale is a leadership and startup consultant dedicated to empowering women to step into bold business ownership. With over 15 years of experience coaching senior leaders, she has supported hundreds of high-achieving women in reaching the highest echelons of their industries and successfully venturing out on their own. Through her R.I.P.E. and R.E.I.G.N. Methods of Business and Leadership Acceleration — a 3-step system designed to amplify impact — Mutiat enables women to transition seamlessly from employees to employers, equipping them to launch and manage thriving businesses effectively.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

Certainly! My journey into entrepreneurship and coaching began after spending over 12 years in corporate roles, where I witnessed firsthand how a lack of confidence or support could hold back even the most capable professionals. I experienced my own struggles with confidence as I climbed the corporate ladder, and eventually, I felt driven to create spaces where people — especially women — could thrive by cultivating their strengths and leadership potential. When I started Ignite Your Leadership Prowess, I focused on helping corporate professionals accelerate their careers, and over time, my purpose evolved to help women transition into entrepreneurship confidently and sustainably.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?

One of the most interesting moments happened during a live speaking engagement in London, where I shared my own journey transitioning from corporate to business ownership. Afterward, a young woman approached me, saying that hearing my story and seeing someone with a similar background succeed gave her the courage to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. It’s deeply humbling to know that by sharing our journeys, we can inspire others to take that leap of faith, despite their fears. Since then, we’ve stayed in touch and I have seen her go from self-doubt to building a thriving and one of the most successful cleaning business in Essex.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When I was first starting out, I was overly eager to be hands-on with every detail, including creating my own website — something I had zero experience in. I mistakenly deleted pages and nearly lost a client due to a “404 error” they encountered! It was a funny wake-up call that taught me the importance of delegating tasks to experts. This lesson has helped me avoid burnout and stay focused on my core strengths.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Yes, my mentor during my corporate years, who remains a friend to this day, played a crucial role in shaping my journey. She was the one who encouraged me to believe in my unique strengths and reminded me that true leadership is not about fitting in but standing out authentically. When I doubted my ability to start my own coaching practice, her support and belief in me gave me the courage to take that first step.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?

A key challenge is often a lack of confidence and self-belief, stemming from long-standing societal expectations and professional environments that don’t always value women’s voices equally. Funding opportunities are another barrier, as women founders still face disparities in access to capital. Additionally, balancing societal or familial expectations while growing a business can be a unique challenge for women, especially those in caregiving roles.

Can you help articulate a few things that can be done as individuals, as a society, or by the government, to help overcome those obstacles?

Individually, I believe mentorship can have a significant impact, as it did in my life. When women support each other by sharing insights and opportunities, we break down barriers. Societally, we need more representation of successful female founders in media, education, and business networks to inspire the next generation. On a policy level, more government-funded grants or low-interest loans for female-led startups could make a huge difference in helping more women access the capital they need to launch.

This might be intuitive to you as a woman founder but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?

Women founders bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches that reflect the real needs and experiences of a diverse world. Being a founder also allows women to have more control over their schedules and shape the culture of their own companies, making it possible to build work environments that are supportive and inclusive. Ultimately, more women founders mean more role models, showing young girls that leadership and entrepreneurship are paths available to them.

What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a founder? Can you explain what you mean?

One myth is that being a founder means you’ll have freedom right away. In reality, the early stages require enormous commitment and a lot of long hours. Another misconception is that you have to “go it alone,” when in fact, collaboration and learning from others are essential for success. Finally, some people think you need all the answers before starting — but every founder learns that entrepreneurship is about evolving as you go.

Is everyone cut out to be a founder? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful founder and what type of person should perhaps seek a “regular job” as an employee? Can you explain what you mean?

Being a founder requires resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to your vision, even in the face of setbacks. It also takes a willingness to learn and iterate continuously. People who prefer structure and predictability might find it challenging to cope with the inherent uncertainties of entrepreneurship. However, for those with passion, drive, and a high tolerance for risk, the entrepreneurial path can be immensely fulfilling.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)

1. The importance of mental resilience: Starting a business comes with highs and lows. I wish I’d known how critical it would be to have mental practices in place to manage stress and stay grounded. In 2020, my social care business was going through a huge turbulence, but I had to remain mentally strong to be able to do the things I needed to do, to keep the business going. I had to work with other professionals and consultants, worked longer hours and redefined my business objectives. In the end, it all paid off.
2. How to delegate effectively: In the beginning, I tried to do everything myself, thinking I had to have full control. But learning to delegate to experts has been crucial for growth and peace of mind.
3. The power of a supportive network: Building a network of mentors and fellow founders is invaluable. The encouragement and advice they provide are indispensable, especially during challenging times.
4. There is no “right time” to start: I spent too long waiting for the “perfect moment,” only to learn that it never really exists. The best time to start is now, with whatever resources and knowledge you have.
5. Embrace the journey: I was initially focused on the end goals, but over time I’ve learned that the process itself is where you grow the most. Celebrating small wins and lessons along the way keeps you motivated and fulfilled.

How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back, which is why I founded the Freedom Support Network. Through it, we provide coaching, counselling, and life skills training to support female ex-offenders in rebuilding their lives and reintegrating into society. Knowing that my work empowers people to make positive, lasting changes is the most rewarding part of my success.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

If I could inspire a movement for the greatest good, it would focus on empowering women from all walks of life to embrace leadership and entrepreneurship as tools for economic and social change. This movement would aim to provide accessible resources, mentorship, and training programs tailored to equip women with the confidence, skills, and network to overcome systemic barriers and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

By cultivating a generation of female entrepreneurs and leaders, this initiative would spark transformative change — where women not only lift themselves and their families but also invest back into their communities, creating a ripple effect of empowerment. Through collaborative spaces, online communities, and partnerships with organizations, this movement could offer tangible support to help women unlock their potential and actively shape a more equitable, prosperous future for all.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

If I could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, it would undoubtedly be Michelle Obama. Michelle’s journey from corporate law to public service, coupled with her powerful advocacy for women, education, and community empowerment, deeply resonates with my mission. Her commitment to lifting up others and using her platform to inspire positive change is incredibly inspiring. I would love the opportunity to discuss with Michelle how women, particularly women of color, can overcome challenges, rise to positions of influence, and make a lasting impact in business and society.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

About the Interviewer: Dina Aletras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.

Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.