Local businesswoman, Marisa Battrick, has recently won an award for her home-made alternative toothpaste business: truthpaste.
Marisa won the Prince’s Trust London and South East NatWest Enterprise award for her groundbreaking recipe that she formulated in her own kitchen. She has now turned her home-made concoction into a successful business.
Marisa’s toothpaste stands out from the rest with its ethical and sustainable ethos. truthpaste is packaged in a recyclable glass jar and is made entirely from natural ingredients. Her product doesn’t include any colourants, foaming agents, bleaching agents or preservatives which most other toothpastes contain. For this reason, truthpaste is an ideal product for those with sensitive teeth, looking for a natural, sustainable and cruelty-free remedy.
Marisa now distributes to almost 100 UK stores as well as overseas to Australia, Spain, Iceland and Belgium.
We asked her how she started up her business and what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman.
Are you Brighton born-and-bred?
I moved to Brighton in the summer of 2008, to study guitar at BIMM and Brighton has become my home ever since.
Can you tell us a bit about the product/business truthpaste?
truthpaste is a vegan, cruelty free and zero waste toothpaste. Made from natural ingredients including Neem, Myrrh, Aloe Vera and organic essential oils, truthpaste is packed full of ingredients with antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Currently available in our original two flavours: Peppermint & Wintergreen or Fennel, we are soon to launch a new children’s range and charcoal range.
Where did the inspiration come from?
It all developed from having toothache. I went to the dentist for a filling, but when I got home and the anesthetic wore off I was still in pain. I turned to the internet desperate for some relief and to look for home remedies, I stumbled across information on making home-made toothpaste. I turned to whatever was in my cupboards at the time – coconut oil, tea tree oil, clove oil and neem leaf powder. I mixed them together into a paste and brushed my teeth.
It was horrible! But it did find it soothing. So the next few months were spent doing more research, buying more ingredients and creating more concoctions until my experiments were becoming more palatable and more like toothpaste. I remember handing out samples in old herb/spice jars to any friends who would try it, and I got a lot of support and encouragement which was great.
How did this business idea become a reality?
The business became a reality when I was referred to the Princes Trust. I went on a short Enterprise course, wrote my business plan, got a mentor and a small start-up loan and truthpaste was launched! My first sale was January 1st 2016, and its grown from there.
Congratulations on your win at the Princes Trust! What did it mean for you to win the award?
Thank you! It was such a lovely event and was great to meet the winners from the other categories who have such inspirational and incredible stories. It was an honour to be chosen as the winner as I know The Princes Trust have helped set up so many other great businesses. I am proud to be part of such a great establishment.
What advice would you like to give to any budding entrepreneurs out there?
I would say to just go for it, keep adapting and trying new things until you find what works. But most importantly not to be afraid of putting yourself or your idea out there.
Where do you see truthpaste heading in the future?
The future looks so exciting! We plan to expand our ranges, move into a new premises, more machinery and upscale manufacturing. We are preparing for a relaunch before Christmas, with a new website, branding and product ranges so I’m excited for the next chapter.
‘truthpaste’ is available at most health food stores around our city, or you can find out more information or buy online via www.truthpaste.co.uk
