Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Gore.
Jessica, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
That one day that is scorched into my brain forever, that one terrible-twos tantrum where my then 2-year-old son fell out flailing and flopping around on the floor of the courthouse where I was trying to take care of a traffic ticket. My precious little toddler had dropped his sucker that was meant to distract him and I didn’t have another one. He was PISSED and there was nothing I could do to console him, yet every eye in that place was on ME! I left there feeling so drained and humiliated, but that was my AH-HA moment. If only there was something I could have sprayed on that sucker so that I could shove (I mean gently place) it back in his mouth?!?!?! Well, there wasn’t so I set out on my mission to create one.
People always ask me if I am a scientist or chemist and the answer is no, I am “just a mom” with a “spirited” kid. I had a problem with no solution and I knew I wasn’t the only one. I spent the next several years researching, hiring scientists as well as chemists and formulating an all-natural cleaner using natural antibacterial ingredients like apple cider vinegar and citric acid. I knew that apple cider vinegar was amazing, but I had to put it to the test. The results were mind-blowing, so when we found out that Tasty Clean not only killed bacteria, but it killed viruses as well – GAME ON. We had created the first flavored cleaning spray that was completely safe to ingest and actually killed germs without any harsh chemicals.
My husband, Corby, is a very talented artist and designed every visual aspect of Tasty Clean from the labels to the website so that was a huge advantage. We then got a booth in a shared showroom for baby items at the Dallas World Trade Center and it was at our first market that we realized that people really liked Tasty Clean. We have since grown our audience from our initial focus on baby items and are now catering to the dental and orthodontic community who find Tasty Clean extremely helpful for cleaning removable appliances like retainers, mouth guards and Invisalign. Because it requires no water and comes in three deliciously fruity flavors, it makes cleaning those items much more convenient and pleasant than that fizzy stuff you plop in a cup of water.
We still have a long way to go, but Tasty Clean is available for purchase online at Tastyclean.com and Amazon as well as in quite a few boutiques, pharmacies and gift shops. We can also be found on the shelves in many HEB Grocery stores and are getting ready to launch in 100 Walmart locations as well. It has been a super exciting journey and I can’t wait to see what the future brings. And yes, I know, I should go on Shark Tank. There is not a day that goes by without someone asking me when I am going to be on Shark Tank! Maybe one day.
Has it been a smooth road?
This road we have been traveling for over six years now has been far from smooth, but I have learned so much along the way. Because we have created a unique product, we have had to pave the road and this can be a huge challenge. Money, of course, is always an issue when you start any business. This project took a lot longer than we had hoped for many reasons, one of the main being funding. Because of the nature of Tasty Clean, lots of money went into a formulation, laboratory testing, insurance and development.
Google was and still is my best friend. I spent many, many MANY hours researching for anything from raw ingredients to packaging options. One of my biggest hurdles was the fact that I had no connections in the manufacturing world or product development experience. Once the product was ready, I spent many more hours looking for any chance I could get to talk about Tasty Clean. Pitch contests, Innovation contests, small business support and anything I could join or apply for. I found out after my first pitch contest that I was terrified to speak in front of an audience. My second pitch contest was a bit easier and then came the big one! I joined the WBENC to become a Certified Woman-Owned Business and within days of becoming certified, there was a large event in which they had a March Madness-style pitch contest with three rounds of competition. I was lucky enough to make it past round one, then two and round three consisted of myself and three other very talented women pitching our businesses ON-STAGE in front of over 1,500 very impressive people! I was able to get the words out without puking and win second place out of over 80 entrants and that was the day I conquered my fear and realized that I really enjoyed public speaking. Who knew?
To be completely honest, there have been many times I just wanted to throw everything out the window and cry, but that’s just not my style (well, I did cry and I mean like ugly cry). I had to allow myself to feel the feels, cry the tears and get it all out. The key for me was to go to sleep and never carry those feelings on to the next day, wake up to a new day and new possibilities.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Tasty Clean story. Tell us more about the business.
Here at Tasty Clean, we pride ourselves on creating natural products that are safe for the entire family. Our flavored cleaning spray is convenient, safe for even your smallest child to use and we are completely transparent. No hidden ingredients, unnecessary add-ons or gimmicks, just truly natural cleaning solutions that are unlike anything you have used before. You don’t have to lock up your cleaning supplies, instead teach your children the importance of good personal hygiene and fight germs in a way that is fun and safe! One product, three flavors and great for the entire family. From pacifiers to dentures and everything in-between, we’re here to help you keep it clean!
One of my favorite moments was at Earth Day Texas when we had teen girls lined up to get Tasty Clean with their own money. They were so excited to be able to clean their retainers because they wanted to clean them, they just didn’t know-how. I had a retainer as a kid and I never wore it because it was so nasty and I didn’t know how to clean it, so I could totally relate to that feeling! Adults who had night guards and never wore them because they had no convenient way to clean them and could not get the foul odors and tastes out of them were thrilled to finally be able to wear their guard. We have helped many people use the dental appliances that they paid so much for because now they know how to keep them clean and Tasty. We have also helped thwart a few tantrums, gotta love that!
We are very proud to be a certified Woman Owned Small Business with the WBENC and the WBC Southwest. Tasty Clean is made right here in Irving, Texas and we currently hold three granted patents and have more pending internationally.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The natural products industry is steadily climbing as people are sick of being exposed to unnecessary chemicals. According to market research, natural OTC products continue to grow in the double digits year after year while traditional OTC products struggle with only 2% – 3% growth from year to year.
Label transparency is very important to Millennials and parents in general, are much more insistent on natural products for their children. This trend will only continue to grow over the years and big retailers like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts will attempt to strengthen their reputations for having a wide variety of healthy and natural products to meet the consumer demand.
Pricing:
- Tasty Clean Travel Bottle – $6.99 with Free shipping
- Tasty Clean 2OZ Spray Bottle – $8.99 with Free Shipping
- The Clean Kit – $14.99 with Free Shipping
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tastyclean.com
- Phone: 855-400-2369
- Email: info@Tastyclean.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastyclean/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mytastyclean/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tastyclean
Image Credit:
Marketing Materials by C2 Graphx and Headshots by the amazing Rachel Friedman Photography
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