Healthcare entrepreneurs have an inherent desire to work towards the betterment of the society. With their unique attributes to transform potential challenges into a source of inspiration they are thriving to create a better world for all. Testifying to this is the story of Claudia Gessler-Zwickl, a health-tech CEO, who is passionately helping individuals and couples to realize their dreams of parenthood. Facing her share of struggles with motherhood motivated her to work towards curating adept solutions that could benefit her patients.
Her belief in the power of innovation led her to establish FERTILABS, a company that focuses on fertility and pregnancy products based on scientific research. She founded FERTILABS aiming to provide nutritional supplements that promote overall health. With a background in health-tech and a successful track record in strategic business development, she leads the creation of science-based nutraceuticals for fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Claudia’s dedication to addressing issues like unfulfilled fertility desires is evident in her personal journey and the mission of FERTILABS to help individuals bring their dreams to life through innovative products.
Our recent interview with Claudia will take you through her entrepreneurial journey of establishing FERTILABS and her ambitious plans for its future.
Can you tell us about the journey that led you to establish FERTILABS and your role as the Founder & CEO in reshaping the healthcare industry?
My journey began with a deeply personal experience that shaped my passion for revolutionizing fertility care.
Like many couples, my husband and I embarked on a journey to parenthood with excitement and anticipation. What followed was a rollercoaster of emotions, dashed hopes and frustrating obstacles. Month after month our hopes were smashed.
As the months turned into years, we navigated the labyrinth of medical appointments, diagnostics tests, and fertility treatments hoping for our little wonder. It was during this time that we learned that certain nutraceuticals improve egg and sperm quality. Scientifically backed. Yet no product on the market included these nutrients. The idea for VILAVIT, premium nutraceuticals to support egg and sperm quality was born.
At FERTILABS we have a vision to revolutionize fertility care through innovation, science, and patient empowerment. Our journey is deeply rooted in empathy, compassion and a relentless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
What inspired you to focus on innovation within the healthcare sector, and what vision do you have for FERTILABS in driving change and advancements?
My inspiration to focus on innovation in the reproductive health sphere stems from a combination of personal experiences, scientific research that proves the efficacy of nutraceuticals and my belief in the power of innovation.
As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fertility care, our journey serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for those facing similar challenges. With each life we touch we are reminded of the perseverance, innovation, and the belief that every journey to parenthood deserves to be supported.
How do you lead your team at FERTILABS towards pioneering initiatives and transforming healthcare practices?
I follow a multifaceted approach that blends vision, strategy and effective leadership.
Vision setting: We have a clear and compelling vision “Ensure that everyone has a right to a healthy baby.” Our vision should inspire our team and guide all of our future efforts.
Innovation culture: As a young agile startup we foster an innovative spirit, always thinking out-of-the box and trying to challenge the status-quo in the reproductive health market.
Investment in science: We are a scientifically back company and invest in research and clinical studies. This helps us be at the forefront of our industry.
Customer-centric Approach: We keep the needs and experiences of our customers at the heart of decision making. We are striving to understand the pain points and find solutions that address these effectively.
Empowerment: We lead our team, empowering our people to explore new ideas and initiatives.
What are some of the key challenges you have encountered while reshaping the healthcare industry with FERTILABS, and how have you overcome them?
The key challenges lie in regulatory compliance, market competition and consumer education.
Many patients and consumers lack awareness that certain nutraceuticals improve fertility. Educating consumers about the roles and benefits of nutraceuticals is crucial for gaining trust and driving adoption.
We develop educational materials such as guides, flyers, infographics, videos, blog posts to explain the science behind our products. We also leverage social media and content marketing to disseminate that information to our target audience.
How do you ensure that FERTILABS remains at the forefront of innovation in healthcare, and what strategies do you employ to adapt to industry changes?
Ensuring that we stay at the forefront of innovation in the reproductive health care space requires a proactive approach in monitoring industry trends, an adaptive strategy development and embracing modern technologies.
We try to stay abreast of emerging trends through active monitoring of industry publications, conferences, and market research reports.
We also analyze competitor activities and market dynamics to identify potential opportunities and threats.
We regularly reassess and refine our strategy based on the evolving market conditions.
At FERTILABS, we embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and try to understand how these technologies can help us improve our products in the future.
Could you elaborate on the importance of collaboration and partnerships in driving success for FERTILABS within the healthcare landscape?
Collaborations and partnerships are starting to play a crucial role in driving success. We
- forge strategic partnerships with other industry stakeholders to combine our efforts.
- collaborate with fertility clinics to support us in clinical research.
- engage with patient advocacy groups and community organizations to gain insights into what patients need.
Partnering opens market access and distribution channels and allows for cost efficiency and resource sharing. It can also enhance our brand reputation, strengthen our brand value and build trust among our patients.
In your role as Founder & CEO, how do you prioritize personal growth and development?
Prioritizing my own personal growth and development is crucial not only for my own well-being but also for the success of FERTILABS.
I try to practice continuous learning, seek feedback from mentors and team members and I actively network with other industry professionals but also with other startup founders to learn from their experiences and insights.
Finally, I am trying to set some time to focus on my physical health, although I have to admit it does not always work out as planned.
What upcoming projects or initiatives can we expect from FERTILABS, and how do you envision the company’s future impact on reshaping the healthcare industry?
Our goal is to be recognized as The Fertility Company, offering a broader range of solutions to individuals and couples seeking to conceive.
Our commitment to consumer-centered care and evidence-based nutraceuticals positions us as a trusted leader in the healthcare community.
As we continue to innovate and expand our offering, I believe FERTILABS will contribute to reproductive health care by setting new standards in fertility support, advocating for breaking the taboo of infertility and empowering individuals to achieve their family-building goals.
What advice would you give to future individuals aspiring to grow in the healthcare industry based on your experiences and insights?
Based on my experience I would give the following advice:
Focus on consumer/patient centered care: Always prioritize the needs and wellbeing of your patients. That is the only way you will make a difference.
Embrace innovation: Stay adaptable to changes and be open to new ideas and technologies.
Be resilient and persistent: Do not take no for an answer and cultivate a positive mindset to overcome challenges and setbacks. They will happen! Try to learn from failures and keep pushing towards your goals.
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