Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan: Episode Summary

Episode: Disrupting the Dress Code with FIGS’ Heather Hasson
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Lemonada Media

Introduction

In this episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, host Megan engages in an inspiring conversation with Heather Hasson, co-founder of FIGS, a trailblazing company that revolutionized healthcare apparel. Heather shares her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced, and the strategies employed to build a billion-dollar business dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals.

Heather Hasson's Entrepreneurial Journey

Heather Hasson's path to founding FIGS was anything but straightforward. Initially aspiring to be a surgeon, Heather's academic struggles in medical school led her to pivot towards entrepreneurship at the young age of 21. Despite lacking financial backing and experience, she embarked on her first venture—a handbag company.

Heather Hasson [07:03]: "I just didn't do well. I got all Ds, like, I just didn't do well. So I said, okay, I guess this is not going to be my career path."

The untimely passing of her business partner prompted Heather to reevaluate her career direction, eventually leading her to Kenya. There, she observed a glaring need for proper uniforms among healthcare workers, which became the catalyst for FIGS.

Founding FIGS: Identifying the Need

Upon witnessing healthcare professionals without adequate scrubs, Heather took decisive action by manufacturing and donating the first 10 sets of scrubs. The overwhelmingly positive feedback ignited the idea to create stylish, comfortable, and functional healthcare apparel.

Heather Hasson [11:28]: "The people that I met out there, they'd never had a set of scrubs before. And so I manufactured, like, I don't know, 10 and sent them out."

Heather's dedication extended beyond merely providing uniforms; she aimed to elevate the appearance and comfort of healthcare workers, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

Overcoming Early Challenges

Starting FIGS was fraught with challenges, including financial constraints and production mishaps. One significant hurdle arose when a production error resulted in ill-fitting scrubs being sent to customers, forcing Heather to unsew and reconstruct the faulty garments without additional funds.

Heather Hasson [21:03]: "We sewed the women's front panel onto the men's back panel. So the inseam is tiny and very, very, very short. Not comfortable for a dude at all."

This incident, though initially devastating, underscored the importance of rigorous quality control—a principle that remains central to FIGS' operations today.

Scaling the Business

Heather and her co-founder, Trina Spear, complemented each other's skills, allowing FIGS to scale effectively. Trina's background in private equity and business operations paired with Heather's creative vision formed a robust foundation for the company's growth.

Heather Hasson [15:03]: "She said to me, she goes, 'Heather, I will do everything you don't want to do.' And I said, 'Everything.' And she goes, 'Everything.'"

Their partnership facilitated the expansion of FIGS from a small startup to a publicly traded company, with over 350 employees at headquarters.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented FIGS with both challenges and opportunities. Positioned within the healthcare sector, FIGS quickly adapted to meet the urgent needs for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Heather Hasson [34:25]: "It was honestly our partnering with our manufacturers, it was partnering with anybody who we knew to get our masks to healthcare professionals. We just gave them out for free."

FIGS responded by producing and distributing hundreds of thousands of masks and pulse oximeters, ensuring that frontline workers had the necessary gear to combat the pandemic.

Taking FIGS Public

In 2021, FIGS made history as one of the first female-led companies to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. This milestone was a testament to the company's resilience and the unwavering belief in its mission.

Heather Hasson [36:08]: "It was an incredible milestone. Even though it's grueling, it was awesome to see FIGS take that step."

Despite facing a significant lawsuit during this period, Heather and the FIGS team emerged victorious, reinforcing their commitment and resilience.

Heather's Current Ventures

After stepping down as CEO of FIGS, Heather remains deeply involved in the minutiae of the business, believing that attention to detail is crucial for success. She is now channeling her entrepreneurial spirit into OGG Health, a platform aimed at revolutionizing healthcare education through peer-to-peer learning.

Heather Hasson [38:25]: "We have a new way for healthcare professionals to get certified. We track and manage your certifications, allowing professionals to learn from each other."

Heather's continuous drive to solve problems ensures that she remains at the forefront of innovation within the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

Heather Hasson's story is a powerful example of resilience, adaptability, and the impact of recognizing and addressing real-world needs. From her early struggles and unexpected pivots to building a billion-dollar company and contributing to global healthcare efforts, Heather exemplifies the essence of a dedicated female founder. Her ongoing work with OGG Health further cements her role as a pivotal figure in transforming healthcare education and supporting professionals worldwide.

Heather Hasson [40:11]: "My job is to help healthcare professionals. Make sure all our healthcare professionals are taken care of."

Notable Quotes:

• Heather Hasson [01:15]: "Honestly, I still do think I'm in the minutia and I think that is the key to success."

• Megan [02:04]: "We're moving at warp speed, problem solving, filling gaps in real time... But I guess that's where the magic is, right?"

• Heather Hasson [06:03]: "We took something that was a commodity and decommoditized it."

• Heather Hasson [15:03]: "She said to me, she goes, 'Heather, I will do everything you don't want to do.' And I said, 'Everything.' And she goes, 'Everything.'"

• Heather Hasson [32:38]: "Creativity is key. You have to create the world you want to live in."

This episode not only highlights Heather Hasson's remarkable journey but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs aiming to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.