In Conversation with Kate Legodi, Founder of Coeur et Maman

Absolutely delighted to bring you this week’s Female Founder Friday feature – a heartfelt and vibrant conversation with Kate Legodi, the passionate and pioneering founder of Coeur et Maman.

With a background in actuarial science and a career that took her from Deloitte to EY and then to the UK’s Phoenix Group, Kate’s entrepreneurial journey was shaped by the birth of her son and a profound realisation: corporate life no longer aligned with her evolving values.

From crunching numbers to curating magic, Kate’s story is one of bravery, reinvention, and an unshakeable commitment to celebrating life’s most precious transitions. I, FC, had the joy of speaking with her about how motherhood sparked a new mission, the creative and manufacturing process behind her products, and how Coeur et Maman is helping families mark every beautiful milestone.

FC: Could you please summarise your professional background?

KL: Yeah, absolutely. I studied Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town, which led me to join Deloitte’s actuarial team through their graduate recruitment programme. That was my entry into consulting - working alongside chief actuaries to support CFOs and CEOs. My longest stint was at EY as a client-facing manager, growing accounts and mentoring junior staff. In late 2016, I moved to the UK to join the Phoenix Group, still in the actuarial field.

Then came the pandemic… and my son. That shifted everything. My values started to misalign with my day job, and eventually, I accepted that it was time for a change. That’s how Coeur et Maman was born - from a desire to live more congruently with what I care about now.

FC: That’s a beautiful shift. So what inspired Coeur et Maman specifically?

KL: It all started when I had my son. I found myself reflecting on my own upbringing and what I wanted for him - a sense of strong identity, belonging, and a bit of magic too. That’s when the idea of celebrating childhood, and more broadly, life transitions, really took shape. I wanted to create something that helps mothers honour that vulnerable but transformative phase in their life.

It began with nursery products, but it’s since grown into something wider - how can we celebrate every milestone? From babyhood to birthdays, weddings, anniversaries… all of it.

FC: Could you tell us a little bit more about the product and how it works?

KL: Our flagship product is the printed picture frame mount board. It’s a beautiful twist on a traditional mount; normally plain white, but we’ve designed it with whimsical patterns to elevate whatever art or photo you put in it. Think gingham, tartans like Black Watch, or artist collaborations with themes like woodland animals or delicious desserts.

We’ve also expanded into wallpapers, heirloom art prints, and next year we’ll launch celebration plates - for birthdays, first days of school, wedding anniversaries, even first homes! The idea is to commemorate those ‘firsts’ with beauty and meaning.

FC: I love that! Is everything handmade?

KL: Everything is made right here in the UK. We work with Roland Daler, one of the oldest mountboard manufacturers in the country, and a local printer in Warwickshire.

We print on conservation-grade, archival quality paper so the mounts last over 100 years; no yellowing, no fading. It’s all about creating heirloom pieces you can hand down through generations.

FC: That’s seriously impressive. What have been the biggest challenges during your fundraising journey?

KL: For me, the biggest challenge has been being untested. I come from a financial background, and while I’ve always approached the business with fiscal rigour, I’ve never run a product-based startup before.

So I’m learning everything, from manufacturing to logistics and marketing, on the job. I also think there’s always a bit of proving yourself as a female founder, but I try not to dwell on that. I just keep building.

FC: How do you see Coeur et Maman evolving?

KL: I see it growing into a broader lifestyle brand; one that brings intention and celebration into everyday moments. Whether it’s a nursery, a wedding, or just a Tuesday afternoon tea party, there’s always room for a little magic. And that’s what Coeur et Maman is here for.

FC: And finally, what advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?

KL: Lean into what matters to you. It sounds cliché, but authenticity really is your biggest asset. When you’re aligned with your values, it shows - in your product, in your storytelling, in how you lead. Also, accept that it’s a process. You don’t have to have it all figured out from day one. Just start.

Learn more about Kate and Coeur et Maman

• Website: Coeur et Maman
• Personal LinkedIn: Kate Legodi
• Company LinkedIn: Coeur et Maman

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst