Keynote - From Hardship to Success

Trina Spear is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of FIGS, the digitally native, DTC healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand creating technically advanced products for the modern healthcare professional. FIGS is on a mission to celebrate, empower and serve healthcare professionals. Learn how Trina got started, why she liquidated Her 401(k) to co-found her company, how she built her business and how she and her co-founder Heather Hasson just became the first female Co-Founders and Co-CEOs to take a company public!) 🚀

Key Takeaways

• Being an Outsider is Cool

  • It is okay if you don’t have specific industry experience - being an outsider is helpful!

    • It helps view the product from a fresh lens and can see problems that industry experts ignore/cannot.

    • Ex: The medical apparel industry was stagnant and was unable to see the need for a better distribution model, fit and style, and the need for community.

• Beginners Mindset

  • Keep this fresh perspective by maintaining and nurturing curiosity and innovation.

    • Ask yourself: How do we continue to be innovative? Curious? How are we going to introduce something that will blow people’s minds?

• Take Risks & Don’t Be Afraid of Mistakes

  • If you don't take risks you'll never see what your product or business can be

  • Don't be scared of taking the leap - innovation requires taking chances

• Mistakes happen!

  • Example: Early on FIGS made a costly production mistake! While devastating, it taught them the importance of quality control at every stage of production

  • Mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve.

• Our brand is our community and our community is our brand

  • Our brand is our community and our community is our brand

    • Historically, healthcare workers are siloed into their dept., so we focus on the commonality between ALL providers: They want to save lives! We can meet them where they’re at and connect them.

  • Know your target audience and make them feel seen and heard.

    • Through social media and real-life events like pop-ups, hospital visits & immersions (spa day for healthcare providers!)

  • Two types of Spending

    • Performance Spend - ADs, SEO, etc

    • Brand Spend - You may not see anything right away but it makes a huge difference in your community

• #DreamTeam

  • Co-CEOs can be a great thing IF you find the yin to your yang.

• Feedback is a Gift

  • I want the feedback because I want to get better

  • Use a mind-frame that is going to serve

• Don’t ask for $$, offer potential funders the opportunity to fund your incredible business!

Quotes

“There is no playbook, no rule book you figure it out as you go”

- Trina Spear

“Feedback is a Gift”

“Big bold bets to cut through the noise.”

-Sarah Friar

Advice to Younger Trina?

“Believe even more! There were times that I doubted myself - first years were slow-moving - if you believe strongly you'll give yourself that time to create something meaningful.”

Action Step

“Write down 5 things you're going to do this week and that you are actually going to get done. It can be overwhelming so we focus on the little doable things.” - Trina Spear