Online venture could clean up in oral care
THE first dedicated online service in the UK delivering toothbrushes and other oral hygiene products to the doorstep, will be launched by a Welsh start-up company next month.
Online venture Brushbox, whose backers include former Welsh rugby international Martyn Williams and his wife Samantha, is the brainchild of Mike Donovan and aims to become the world’s leading online brand for personal oral care products.
Its subscription service will deliver boxed oral care products to customers’ homes, including toothbrushes and toothpaste every two months – with the option also for dental floss and tongue cleansers.
It is scheduled to go live on January 15.
In its first year the Cardiff-based firm is aiming to eclipse the 5,000 that subscribed to razorblade service Cornerstone.
The company was founded in March.
Customers can choose from a standard toothbrush range or from curved and round bamboo ranges.
Mr Donovan said: “I founded Brushbox with the goal of changing the way people think about and look after their teeth.
“We are an oral health subscription box service delivering beautiful products direct to your door, offering convenience, affordability and, most importantly, good health.
“We all care about our teeth and yet 70% of us here in the UK fail to replace our toothbrush when we are supposed to and the consequences of this are quite shocking.
“For those with a busy lifestyle who care about their own and their family’s wellbeing, they can sign up not only for peace of mind, but for a simple and convenient way to ensure a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.”
The company also has a “buy one, give one” model.
Each time someone buys a toothbrush from Brushbox, they will donate one to someone in need in the UK, working with charitable partners.
Father-of-three Mr Donovan, 37, said: “We intend to implement a step-change in improving the oral health for current and future generations.”
Brushbox will be providing boxes for both adults and children.
Dr Richard Vangasse, dentist and partner at Restore Dental Group, who is unconnected to Brushbox, said: “Brushbox is such a fantastic yet simple way to make sure you renew your toothbrush when you need to, which as every dentist will tell you is absolutely essential.”
Brushbox can provide for up to four people in a box – a mixture of children and adults.
For a single person, the subscription price is £3.49 per month, or £3.99 for bamboo options, with the floss and tongue cleaners optional extras costing £1.25.
Prices reduce the more people you have in a box.
The business has won £245,000 in investment funding for initial working capital and marketing, new product development and strategic growth.
Brushbox is participating in NatWest’s Entrepreneurial Spark programme, the world’s largest accelerator programme for start-up and scale-up businesses.
It is also an active participant in the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme, designed for rapidly expanding, high-growth companies.