Olga Lemberg’s journey from her childhood in Detroit to her dual roles as a pediatrician and entrepreneur in the Bay Area is a story of resilience and creativity. Born in the Soviet Union, Olga and her family immigrated to Detroit during the Cold War when she was three years old. Navigating the differences between two cultures — the one at home and the one outside — she often had the feeling of not quite fitting in either world. As a teenager, she was inclined to express her unique identity through personal style: thrifted bell-bottoms, tomboy dresses, and combat boots. Today, she channels that same spirit into her work, donning sleek, sophisticated scrubs of her own design.
In addition to her career in pediatrics, Olga is the founder and owner of Fabled, a brand she launched in 2017 to create stylish, functional scrubs tailored for women physicians. She wanted work attire that reflected her personal style and projected a professional image, believing other female doctors shared this same desire.
Olga initially used her own savings to launch Fabled, but soon realized she needed more resources to scale the business. She turned to Hebrew Free Loan, receiving her first interest-free business loan to purchase inventory and market her products. A subsequent loan a few years later helped her scale her business and navigate the supply chain disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The support from Hebrew Free Loan gave me the confidence to trust my business plan and, more importantly, myself.”
Balancing the demands of being a pediatrician and a business owner is no small feat. Olga sees both roles as creative endeavors, connecting her to the artistic legacy of her parents, who were trained as classical musicians in Moscow. Despite the challenges of running an apparel company, she remains steadfast and determined to succeed.
Olga’s decision to specialize in pediatrics was influenced by her experience as an immigrant kid navigating the complexities of cultural integration and overcoming obstacles to find her place. She has a deep sense of empathy that drives her to advocate for vulnerable children. And now, through Fabled, she empowers other women physicians to express their authentic professional style.
Olga envisions scaling Fabled further with the right investors; she aspires to see the company co-owned by a group of women doctors. For now, she continues to balance her entrepreneurial endeavors with her medical career and family life, sharing her journey with her husband Seth and their 5-year-old daughter.
