Why Rejection Is Your Greatest Gift with Afton Vechery, Founder of Modern Fertility

Afton Vechery is the Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Fertility, a
women's health company focused on making fertility information
more accessible for women everywhere. 


In 2016, Afton embarked on a journey to understand her own
fertility, and her realizations from this time laid the
foundation for the company. She saw that women were not able to
get the information that they needed to plan ahead at a
reasonable price, and she understood that her mission had to be
to change that. The company has not only built a powerful
community but also has raised over $22 million from top-tier
investors, and recently sold to Ro for more than $225
million. 


In this episode, Afton shares how a high school science project
ignited an entrepreneurial flame in her and led her to pursue a
career at the intersection of business and science. We hear about
the extensive research she and her co-founder did before founding
the company, and how this has benefited them over time. 


Afton also shares her refreshing view on rejection and how she
views being turned down. Our conversation also touches on some of
the biggest misconceptions around fertility, the empowerment that
comes with knowing about your health, and Modern Fertility’s
acquisition by Ro. 


In this episode, we’ll talk to Afton about: 


* The high school science project that exposed Afton to
entrepreneurship early on. [2:43]


* Expectations that Afton’s parents had for her after she
graduated from high school. [06:28]


* Afton’s first job after college and what she learned in this
position. [9:44]


* What Afton discovered about the world of fertility when she was
working at 23andMe. [1:19]


* Afton’s ‘aha moment’ when she realized the need for Modern
Fertility. [12:51]


* The impact that accelerators have in the beginning stages of
your business. [14:42]


* The reasoning behind the extensive surveying and validation
that was done before launching the company. [18:03]


* How Modern Fertility built community very early on, and the
incredible momentum they garnered. [21:17]


* Why Afton and her co-founder, Carly, decided to go with VC
money and what they learned from this decision. [23:47]


* There is no right way to start a company; you have to do what
makes sense. [25:26]


* Afton's view of rejection and why she sees it in a positive
light. [25:45]


* All aspects of business have their own ups and downs. [28:00]


* Afton’s self-care rituals and her passion for road biking.
[30:19]


* Debunking some of the biggest fertility myths. [33:12]


* The power of having open conversations around women’s fertility
to normalize the topic. [36:16]


* Insights into Modern Fertility’s recent acquisition by Ro and
the reason behind this decision. [38:03]


* What wealth means to Afton at this stage in her life. [41:15]


Follow Afton: 


* Website: https://modernfertility.com/


* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernfertility/ 


* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aftonvechery


Follow Yasmin: 


* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/


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