Michele Wispelwey is the co-founder and president of FemGevity, a pioneering digital telemedicine platform offering custom concierge care for menopause and feminine longevity. With a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic landscape and 18 years of experience in implementing women’s health initiatives, Michele is a visionary leader in the femtech and digital healthcare industry.
Renowned as a resource, mentor, and strategist, she collaborates with organizations and healthcare leaders to drive change, improve patient access, and innovate stagnant processes. Michele actively participates in industry forums, panels, and networking events, such as the New Pause Symposium and FemTech Focus Summit, fostering collaborations and gaining insights from like-minded leaders. With an MBA in healthcare management & marketing and a BS in Business Administration, Michele combines creativity and technology to empower women and provide high-quality care.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company.
Most recently, I was the Director Of Women’s Health Services where I spearheaded the development of women’s health programs in molecular diagnostics, genetics, and cytology. I have worked at top-ranked institutions such as LabCorp & Quest Diagnostics where I was renowned as a resource, mentor, and strategist. I still collaborate with various organizations and healthcare leaders to initiate change, improve patient access, and update stagnant processes and programs.
My comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic landscape has enabled me to become a visionary leader in the femtech and digital healthcare industry. I bring 18 years of experience in implementing women’s health initiatives and a relentless passion for driving innovation in the femtech and women’s consumer health sectors. My mission is to create solutions that empower women to take control of their well-being and achieve their fullest potential.
What is FemGevity all about?
FemGevity is a FemTech company that is a digital telemedicine platform that offers women access to custom concierge care for menopause & feminine longevity. The gap in innovative solutions for menopause treatment in women’s health is a significant issue that has been overlooked in the past. Despite menopause being a natural biological process that affects all women, the available treatment options have been limited, often falling short in addressing the diverse needs and symptoms of women going through this transition
FemGevity offers women access to personalized, monthly/continuous, and affordable care that addresses their evolving menopause symptoms. Treating each woman as a unique human with individual needs makes our members feel seen and heard – vital stepping stones towards empowering them to redefine their relationship with aging.
Femgevity’s personalized treatment plans are safe and effective because highly trained medical professionals who specialize in menopause, not generalists/”coaches”, are at the core of everything we do. While many of our competitors run no lab work at all, and most MDs use antiquated tests, our specialists develop customized treatment plans to alleviate client symptoms based on results from a variety of cutting-edge diagnostic tools, including AI genomics, micronutrient, cellular, gut microbiome, and hormonal analyses, to name a few. Because we’re women’s health clinician-founded, not tech-founded like our competitors, medicine is our first language. It’s in our nature to stay ahead of the latest research, ensuring we always provide safe and effective medical solutions.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
Drawing from my experience at the diagnostic lab during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was inspired to translate the lessons learned into my digital startup focused on menopause solutions. The sense of teamwork, adaptability, and resilience we cultivated during those trying times became the foundation for our company’s culture.
As I embarked on the journey to create a menopause-focused digital startup, I prioritized collaboration and adaptability. Our team was committed to working together across various roles, ensuring a seamless exchange of ideas and resources. This versatile approach allowed me to efficiently develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of women experiencing menopause.
The high-pressure environment of the diagnostic lab taught me the importance of resilience and maintaining a shared sense of purpose. I applied these principles to FemGevity, creating a supportive and goal-oriented atmosphere. Our team remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of women seeking relief from menopause symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.
By leveraging the lessons learned during the pandemic, FemGevity has become a testament to the power of teamwork, adaptability, and resilience, as we strive to revolutionize the way women address and manage their menopause journey.
Amidst the constant pressure and high-stakes environment, we discovered a shared sense of purpose and unity that made our work more rewarding than ever. The camaraderie we forged during this challenging time not only enabled us to make a meaningful impact in the fight against COVID-19 but also highlighted the power of teamwork and resilience in overcoming adversity.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
To differentiate ourselves from competitors, we leverage Algorithm Analytics and Predictive Data Analytics for personalized treatments. Our Monthly Digital Check-ins ensure consistent care. Founded by Women’s Health Clinicians, we prioritize women’s health and offer tailored treatment plans. Our MSO-PC and Nurse Practitioner/RN Models foster collaboration. We provide precise treatments through Laboratory Testing & Analysis. Additionally, we offer Employer Biometric Screening, a Menopause Hub – Community, and prioritize interprofessional education (IPE).
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
To be honest, I don’t view anything as a “mistake”. I see it as an opportunity for growth and life allowing you to pivot in a different direction. If I had to pick though, I would say the main thing for me was not knowing enough about the technology build-out aspect. I’ve made some “mistakes”, but I don’t regret them because they allowed me to learn and better understand what the company needed. Mistakes in business, while often viewed negatively, can actually serve as opportunities for growth and development, and the key is to approach them with the right mindset and willingness to learn.
How do you personally overcome fear?
I had imposter syndrome, always thinking I did not deserve my success, attributing it to luck, timing, or the belief that I have deceived others into thinking I am more competent or capable than I truly am. At one of the companies, I worked for, for just about 11 years, I was the youngest & most successful female sales executive in the industry at the time. I gave ALL of the credit for my success to my VP. It took me years to realize that, yes, he was a good mentor, but he had nothing to do with the accomplishments I made. Many would be resentful and angry, instead, I used this experience as a stepping stone to leadership. I developed strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience in driving success. Not just in leadership, but in personal relationships that have spearheaded the way I can collaborate & network with professionals from anywhere.
Anyone can be a leader but not everyone can have leadership traits that embody empathy and emotional intelligence. They are crucial components of effective leadership. Both contribute significantly to a leader’s ability to understand, connect with, and influence others, fostering a positive work environment and promoting teamwork and collaboration. These are two components that I will stand my ground on in my leadership roles. Now, I use fear to fuel my ambitions.
What are the top online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
- EOS System: This helps us to align our vision, values, and goals. It also guides us with decision-making, problem-solving, and overall operational efficiency.
- Slack: This is a real-time communication tool that helps us with collaboration for file sharing, and integration of many of our other applications. It helps keep conversations organized and enables quick information exchange.
- Clickup: Keeps us to stay organized. We can plan & track projects and to-do lists
- Rudder Stack: This helps us to track and better understand how our customers make data-driven decisions.
- Customer io: marketing automation platform that enables us to send personalized emails. This has been a lifesaver for our API integrations outside of the EMR.
- Google Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics that allow organizations to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion data, enabling them to make data-driven decisions to improve their online presence and performance.
Can you recommend one book, one podcast, and one online course for entrepreneurs?
3 books I cannot live without are Zero to One (Peter Thiel); Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss); Traction (Gino Wickman) :
Each book focuses on different aspects of business and professional development, and they all provide practical advice and strategies for success in various aspects of professional life.
- Zero to One (Peter Thiel): This book focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and building successful startups. It offers insights into creating a unique product or service that can reshape an industry or create a new market.
- Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss): This book is centered on negotiation tactics and techniques. Voss shares practical strategies to improve negotiation skills, which can be applied in both professional and personal situations.
- Traction (Gino Wickman): Talks about the framework called the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which helps businesses achieve long-term success through improved management, communication, and strategic planning.
Online Course: Executive Women in Leadership at Weil Cornell
Podcasts: Peter Attia & AnderHubberman. I learn so much from these 2 brilliant longevity entrepreneurs.
What are you learning now, and why is that important?
The importance of being intentional in both personal and professional life cannot be overstated. Intentionality is the practice of aligning my actions with FemGevitys values, goals, and aspirations, fostering a sense of purpose and direction. By consciously choosing to live and work with intention, I create a life that is not only more fulfilling but also more impactful.
In our personal lives, being intentional means cultivating meaningful relationships, nurturing our well-being, and pursuing our passions. By setting clear goals and mindfully allocating our time and energy, we can achieve balance and harmony between our personal and professional commitments.
In the professional realm, intentionality allows us to identify our strengths and areas for growth, enabling us to focus on the tasks and responsibilities that align with our skillset and career objectives. By being intentional in my work, I can contribute more effectively to our team, organization, or entrepreneurial endeavors, while simultaneously nurturing our own professional development.
Ultimately, living with intention in both personal and professional spheres ensures that our actions are purpose-driven and aligned with our values. This mindful approach to life empowers us to create a more balanced, fulfilling, and successful existence, where we can truly thrive and make a lasting impact on the world around us.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
We have 3 Phases mapped out right. This is our plan right now, but things are constantly evolving and changing. Data Analytics, Predictive Markers & Employer Biometric Screening. By doing this we want to build out an R&D division dedicated to women’s health innovation. This is really where I envision major growth and the company taking a different growth plan. To do this we need a collaboration with a major academic and/or medical company.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
Make decisions quickly, and do not sit on thoughts for too long. If you mess up that is OKAY. You need to make lots of mistakes to learn. Mistakes bring growth and clarity to the full circle. Never get in the weeds about something that you didn’t do and should have done. Find solutions quickly to move on and fix the issue at hand. Trust in your gut, never go against it. Many people are going to doubt you but use that as fuel to keep trucking to your goal & outcome.
Network! This is so important. Ask for advice and DO NOT be too proud to say you do not know or understand. Be vulnerable!
Have a co-founder that you trust and admire. Someone who makes you a better person all around, not just professionally.
Have a growth plan for the big picture.
How can readers get in touch with you ?
The best way to get in touch with me would be connecting on LinkedIn.
