Latest news with #MonicaCepak
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Wisp Built The Most Complete Women's Health Platform In America
Wisp STI Test As clinic access shrinks and provider shortages rise, Wisp—the largest pure-play women's telehealth platform in the U.S., available in all 50 states—is betting big on home as the new front line of healthcare. Today, the company launched a diagnostics vertical designed to bring testing and follow-up care for common STIs directly to patients' doors. With more than 1.5 million users nationwide, Wisp has quietly become a category-defining force in virtual women's health. Its new At-Home Testing & Follow-Up Care service allows patients to collect samples discreetly at home, mail them to CLIA/CAP-accredited labs, and receive results within 3–5 business days—no clinic visit required. All tests include free consultations and, if needed, asynchronous treatment within the Wisp platform. 'We're simplifying the path to complete, 360-degree care, making it possible for patients to access testing and treatment from the comfort of home,' said Monica Cepak, CEO of Wisp. Wisp's diagnostics offering debuts with three test panels: a Common STI Panel (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis), a 3-Site Panel (multi-site Chlamydia and Gonorrhea), and an M-Gen Panel (Mycoplasma Genitalium). All tests are processed through CLIA/CAP-accredited labs using non-invasive swab and urine samples. According to Wisp, 62% of surveyed patients expressed interest in at-home STI testing. The platform's STI, STD, and Herpes categories are up 40% year-over-year. 'We're not just improving convenience—we're helping to destigmatize sexual health and empower patients to take control of their care with confidence,' said Dr. Jillian LoPiano, MD, MPH, FACOG. Wisp is actively building an interconnected care ecosystem through strategic partnerships: In March 2025, Wisp launched a comprehensive weight care vertical that includes access to GLP-1 medications for women navigating hormonal imbalances, PCOS, and perimenopause. The offering consists of prescription access, metabolic panels, and support tools to monitor nutritional deficiencies and long-term weight maintenance. The move positioned Wisp as one of the few platforms approaching GLP-1s from a women's hormonal health lens, not just weight loss. Wisp also recently launched a first-of-its-kind Male BV Partner Treatment, addressing a longstanding clinical blind spot. The new product provides prescriptions for male partners to prevent reinfection and reduce recurrence rates of BV in female patients. 'This move is about science, empathy, and eliminating recurring frustration for our patients,' said Dr. LoPiano. In a recent interview with Femtech Insider, Cepak shared how Wisp's lean growth strategy was fueled by SEO and trust, not splashy fundraising. Over 60% of new patients find Wisp through organic search, and the company has remained profitable since before its 2021 acquisition by WELL Health Technologies (Forbes). 'We focused on listening to our customers and solving real problems, faster and more affordably than anyone else,' said Cepak. Wisp Diagnostics STI Essential 3Panel Wisp is one of the only DTC platforms offering a fully virtual stack—from diagnostics and treatment to Rx delivery and hormonal health—available in all 50 states. As Wisp pushes beyond birth control into diagnostics, weight care, and asynchronous treatment, its competitive set reveals a fragmented market—one where most players specialize in narrow verticals, not comprehensive care. Here's how the landscape stacks up: Wisp is among a new wave of digital health companies redefining reproductive health branding. In the wake of Roe v. Wade's overturning, the company has embraced direct, unapologetic messaging around sexual health and bodily autonomy. As reported by The Guardian, Wisp deliberately avoids euphemisms and medical gatekeeping in favor of plainspoken, rights-based language. This strategy is on full display in its award-winning campaign, 'We Heart Healthy Vaginas.' Created by agency Oberland, the Valentine's Day-themed campaign used playful packaging, reclaimed language, and merch like 'pH-balanced' candy hearts to promote awareness of Wisp's vaginal health offerings. The campaign reached over 30 million impressions and boosted first-time patients. 'We don't want our users to feel like they're entering a hospital portal. We want them to feel seen,' said Cepak. 'Our brand is a promise—not just a product.' Wisp STI Kit Founded in 2018 by Matthew Swartz, Wisp scaled without raising traditional VC capital. In 2021, it was acquired by WELL Health Technologies, a Canadian public company focused on digital health platforms. Though WELL is based in Canada, Wisp serves patients exclusively in the U.S. across all 50 states, with over 1.5 million users and growing. 'Wisp's expansion into diagnostics is a move that reflects our shared vision of building a fully integrated, patient-first healthcare experience. By bringing lab-grade testing into the home and pairing it with accessible virtual care, Wisp is not only enhancing convenience and affordability, but it's redefining what 360-degree care looks like for women.' — Hamed Shahbazi, Founder, Chairman and CEO of WELL Health Technologies 'This launch underscores our founding mission: to put more power, privacy, and choice in the hands of patients,' said Cepak. As telehealth evolves from transactional visits to full-stack care, Wisp is laying the foundation for an always-on, lifestyle-centric women's health platform. Diagnostics is just the latest step. From birth control and STI testing to fertility, weight care, and hormonal health, Wisp is building what may become the most complete digital front door for women's health. Read more on how GLP-1 telehealth models are evolving in this Forbes feature.
CNBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CNBC
I always ask this one question during job interviews, says CEO: It's a 'red flag' if they answer wrong
Monica Cepak has a go-to interview question that tells her a lot about a job candidate: What's the hardest problem you've ever solved at work, and how did you reach a solution? The question itself is fairly common. But Cepak, the CEO of sexual and reproductive telehealth company Wisp, looks for something specific in each person's answer, she says. If an interviewee's answer is "cross-functional in nature" — meaning it shows how they worked with other professionals to solve an issue — they're probably a team player who regularly collaborates with their coworkers, says Cepak, 38, who has nearly 10 years of experience in executive-level roles. An answer like, "'Oh, I did everything myself. Myself, myself, myself'" is a telltale sign that a person "can't work well in an environment like ours because nobody can solve every problem [on their own.] We're a team at the end of the day, and your ability to problem solve by working with others is key," says Cepak. "You'll be surprised how many times people will say 'I, I, I, I, I.' If I don't hear 'we' anywhere, that's usually a red flag," she notes. Teamwork can make workplaces more efficient and productive, helping you fix mess-ups or find solutions to problems much quicker than you would on your own. And problem-solving skills are one of the "most important" traits Cepak seeks in employees, from entry-level 22-year-olds to people in executive positions, she says. "The ability to problem-solve with curiosity, empathy [and] humility ultimately drives solutions forward, no matter how tough, no matter how many curveballs one gets thrown," she says, adding: "That gives me the confidence that someone would thrive in a [company] like ours." The best way to answer Cepak's question is to anticipate that it's coming, and prepare examples of effective collaboration in advance, she says. The following answer, for example, could make you sound self-serving or anti-collaborative: "One time, our team was behind on a major project because no one understood their role. So I just did the whole thing by myself over the weekend. It was exhausting, but I got it done." Instead, give an answer that showcases how you used your colleagues' strengths, in addition to your own, to meet a common goal, Cepak recommends. Try something like this: "At my last job, our team was struggling with communication and meeting tight deadlines. I suggested we create a shared dashboard to track real-time updates and ensure everyone is aware of deadlines. I collaborated with our operations lead to build it out quickly, and we got everyone on board in a day." Be sure to include problem solving and collaboration skills on your resume and to mention them on your job applications, advises LinkedIn career expert Drew McCaskill. "When somebody says, 'Tell me about a time that you solved a problem that your company was facing,' they're really asking you about innovative thinking," McCaskill told CNBC Make It on April 2. "If my human skills are going to be a big part of these conversations, let me start to think about what the main ones are." Teamwork and problem-solving skills should be valuable to any prospective employer, Cepak adds. "I think that's a skill set that serves anyone in any company," she says. "How you approach those situations in times of stress really defines an individual's career."
