# HIBT Lab! ClassPass: Payal Kadakia

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-05-12
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia

## Summary

Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass, discusses leading the fitness subscription platform through the pandemic shutdowns, pivoting to beauty and wellness, and the eventual acquisition by Mindbody. She explains how early partnerships with Mindbody's API infrastructure facilitated global scaling and why the company chose to merge rather than remain independent. Kadakia also details her 'LifePass' goal-setting methodology and her journey of integrating her identity as a dancer and business leader.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=0) Navigating the Pandemic Crisis
- [4:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=275) Pivoting to Beauty and Wellness
- [5:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=350) Leadership and Vulnerability
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=664) The Mindbody Acquisition Story
- [16:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=989) Future Goals and Dance
- [24:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-12-hibt-lab-classpass-payal-kadakia#t=1443) The LifePass Goal-Setting Method

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ClassPass (company)
- Mindbody (company)
- TechStars (other)
- LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential (other)
- Saw Dance Company (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

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- [S1 E6: Pivots, Trials, Errors, and Validation in Product Development with Madhavi Gavini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-06-13-s1-e6-pivots-trials-errors-and-validation-in-product-development-with-madhavi-ga) (The Builder Circle)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-18-founder-fundraising-journey-craig-dubitsky-happy-products) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Marilyn Yang of Popadelics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-11-founder-feature-marilyn-yang-of-popadelics) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [008 - "Follow the Opportunity" with Marta New](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-11-24-008-follow-the-opportunity-with-marta-new) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

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