In this episode, I am joined by Lauren Makler, co-founder and CEO of Co Fertility, a transformative fertility ecosystem that seeks to revolutionize the processes of egg donation and preservation through a model grounded in humanity, equity, and transparency.
Our discussion delves into the unique challenges women face in the realm of reproductive health and how Co Fertility addresses these issues by providing women the opportunity to freeze their eggs at no cost, thereby fostering accessibility and ethical practices in egg donation.
Lauren shares her personal journey, which includes overcoming her own fertility challenges and how they influenced her drive to create a more compassionate family-building experience.
We explore the concept of "falling in love with the problem," emphasizing the necessity for founders to remain resilient and committed to their mission, even in the face of adversity.
Through this conversation, we aim to illuminate the vital importance of amplifying women's voices in business and healthcare, underscoring the transformative impact of women-led enterprises.
Our Guest This Week:
Lauren Makler is the Co-Founder and CEO of CoFertility, a groundbreaking fertility ecosystem reshaping egg donation and preservation with humanity, equity, and transparency. Before launching CoFertility, she was the founding General Manager of Uber Health, where she built and scaled the company’s healthcare arm from the ground up—expanding access to care for millions.
After facing her own fertility challenges, Lauren combined her healthcare innovation experience and product leadership with personal conviction to create a more compassionate model for family building. Under her leadership, CoFertility introduced the revolutionary “Split” program, making egg donation more empowering, ethical, and accessible.
Featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and TechCrunch, Lauren is a visionary proving that when business is led by empathy, it can scale with power, purpose, and transformative impact.
Takeaways:
- In the realm of business, it is imperative to amplify women's voices and experiences, particularly in leadership roles.
- Lauren's innovative approach at Co Fertility seeks to transform the fertility landscape through equity and transparency.
- The significance of empathy in business practices is paramount, as it fosters a compassionate approach to customer experiences.
- Understanding the barriers to fertility access is crucial, and Co Fertility aims to address these challenges through their unique service offerings.
Chapters:
00:15 Introducing the Host
06:02 The Journey of Empowerment and Transformation
11:18 The Journey of Egg Freezing and Donation
14:01 The Journey of Building a Fertility Startup
22:46 Navigating Challenges in Business: Resilience and Accountability
29:25 Understanding Fertility Challenges
31:23 The Role of Women in Reproductive Health and Equity
Burning Questions Answered:
1. How do you build a business model that serves two completely different audiences — egg donors and intended parents?
2. What do you do when something goes wrong inside your company?
3. How do you navigate doubt while building something bold?
4. Why does empathy matter in business?
Favorite Quotes:
"Our setbacks are our setups."
“When you’re obsessed with the problem, you don’t get precious about the solution.”
Guest Offers & Contact Information:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmakler
LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cofertility/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/cofertility X/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cofertility
Website: https://www.cofertility.com/
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Coco Sellman, the host of #WisdomOfWomen, believes business is a force for good, especially with visionary women at the helm. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has launched five companies and guided over 500 startups. As Founder & CEO of A Force for Good, Coco supports purpose-driven women founders in unlocking exponential growth and prosperity. Her recent venture, Allumé Home Care, reached eight-figure revenues and seven-figure profits in just four years before a successful exit in 2024. A venture investor and board director, Coco’s upcoming book, *A Force for Good*, reveals a roadmap for women to lead high-impact, high-growth companies.
Learn more about A Force for Good:
Website: https://aforceforgood.biz/
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FFG Tool of the Week: https://aforceforgood.biz/weekly-tool/
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Growth Accelerator: https://aforceforgood.biz/accelerator/
