Creative Director. City Enthusiast. Speaker.
Creative Director. City Enthusiast. Speaker.
I’m here to build a case for love.
Not the romantic kind but the kind of love that means you feel ownership of something. You care about it because it’s part of you. You will do anything to protect it. Defend it.
Fight for it.
It started
with a passion.
When I moved back to my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I decided to do everything I could to change the narrative about my city. I wanted to make it a place that locals and visitors couldn’t do without, that businesses would dream of planting roots, and that young adults wouldn’t want to leave. After 20 years of spreading the word about our artistic little city, I’m here to say that creativity and collaboration truly have the power to shift the narrative, start a movement, and transform a city.
We started to wonder, ‘What would happen if everyone, everywhere believed in their city.’
What if people embraced what makes their city different and shouted it from the rooftops? What if people shared their pride with friends and family, inviting them to visit? What if they loved it fiercely, loyally, loudly? And not just in the good times but even when things were tough—before all the accolades and awards. What if they loved that city like it was their first car, or better yet, their favorite sports team—for better or worse?
If all those things happened, it would change everything. For residents, for business owners, for families, for individuals. For everyone. That’s what a little love can do.
I truly believe we have the opportunity to reclaim our cities and once again make them thriving places where community is found—to change the narrative of what it means to live local and engage in the place we chose to call home.
Our big idea, twenty years ago, was to combine our love for creativity and community into a business that would impact a city. To give people reasons to feel ownership, label the quirks as character, and fall deeper and deeper in love.
We wrapped our city in a little package of love and we called it Fig, a name that pays homage to the fruit that is steeped in history and carries seeds that signify unity and prosperity.
An enthusiasts’ guide to loving local.
Fig is a local-loving guide to inspiring entrepreneurs, impactful leaders, and many of the places and people that make a city special. Fig is a consistent, positive voice that cheers on small businesses and encourages those doing great work.
Behind Fig in each city is a small and mighty team of local creatives who fiercely love their community and have a simple mission to use their talents to spread the word about the place they call home.
Learn about the Fig Franchise.
Keynote Speaker
Deborah is the founder of Fig Industries and the creator of Fig magazine. She began her career working for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Givenchy, and Christian Dior, bringing her expertise back to her hometown where her work is fueled by a passion for creativity and community.
As a keynote speaker, Deborah will bring to the stage two decades of experience in her home city of Lancaster, PA. She will build a case for a connected, engaged city that was transformed by creative entrepreneurs who rose to the challenge and made their city a thriving home of innovation where folks want to visit, that businesses dream about, and where people are proud to call home.
Keynote Speaker
Deborah is the founder of Fig Industries and the creator of Fig magazine. She began her career working for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Givenchy, and Christian Dior, bringing her expertise back to her hometown where her work is fueled by a passion for creativity and community.
As a keynote speaker, Deborah will bring to the stage two decades of experience in her home city of Lancaster, PA. She will build a case for a connected, engaged city that was transformed by creative entrepreneurs who rose to the challenge and made their city a thriving home of innovation where folks want to visit, that businesses dream about, and where people are proud to call home.
Interested in learning more about Fig or booking a speaking engagement?
We'd love to hear from you!
deborah@figindustries.com
717.394.7737