Bogobrush Makes Its Print Debut!

Check us out in the April issue of Real Simple Magazine, y’all.

The Little Toothbrush that Could: The Production Story Pt. 1

You have seen John sketching and modeling Bogo, the design. Now it’s time for us to share Bogo, the production story.

Bogobrush, like every great idea, was born from stimulating conversations with a group of smart, interesting, and passionate founders. Our first conversations began with the formation of a group called Share Project. We gathered all walks of life from all over the country, connected over phones, drinks, and Skype, and started with the simple question; “How can we do it better?” No idea about what “it” would be, we just wanted to lay the foundations for “What is something better?”

A year later, with Bogobrush sketches in hand, we now posed the harder question: How do we make this real? So, the production journey began…with a Google search for manufacturing.

My goal today in sharing how novice we were when this began is not to make excuses for the delays. My goal is to inspire anyone out there with an idea, but thinks they can’t do it until they know what they are doing, to just get out there and DO.

-Will you sound stupid when you start making cold calls off of Google searches? YES.
-Will you get really bad samples made because you don’t know the word “prototype” yet? YES.
-Will you end up at tooling conventions with Armageddon watchers because you think exploring every option is worthwhile? YES.
-Will you get the same bad samples sent back to you from another source because you didn’t think about IP the first time out? YES.
-Will every step be harder and slower than you thought? YES.
-Will it be worth it if you just keep taking those steps? YES.

By the way, my name is Michelle. I am head of Bogobrush production…I think I have a title, but I don’t actually know what it is. My background is in architecture. I practiced with a design/build firm for nearly a decade and my passion is the connection between ideas and reality.

In the coming weeks we want to share with you our production story. Many people think that production is just the drudgery you have to go through to get to the fun stuff. Since I’m an architect, I think of production as building, and I think building is where the fun happens.

Production is where the idea comes alive, it’s where your ideals are challenged, and it’s where true change is born. Stay tuned and share in the Bogo, making it real. An adventure…

Until next time,

Michelle

Take Your Dental Hygiene Advice from This Ape

Just like us, animals greatly benefit from dental hygiene. Siswi the orangutan loves brushing her teeth and setting a good example for visitors at the Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Indonesia.

Love from the Motherland

Lots of love from North Dakota this week!  Our founders (and ND natives), John and Heather McDougall, were featured in ND’s Inforum – CLICK HERE to read the write up on them.

In other news, Heather has been invited to speak at Startup Weekend Fargo in her home state. Way to go, Heather! Stay tuned for updates.

Edible Dentures

These “dentures” use three ingredients: apples, peanut butter, and marshmallows…Adorable, tasty, and EASY! For more yummy ideas CLICK HERE, and check us out on Pinterest!

Heather and David Attend TED2013 Conference Via Live Stream

On Wednesday, David and I had the honor of being invited to view a live stream of the TED2013 conference held in Palm Springs this week. The set we watched was “Sustain!” – a fitting topic for Bogobrush.  All of the talks we saw were great, but a few highlights include two gals who discovered a bacteria that has evolved naturally to eat phthalates (part of plastic), and a man who has developed a method of using livestock to overcome desertification.  The results of his method are remarkable, and in his calculations are the only thing to really save our species and planet from climate change.

With David, my husband AND Director of Finance for Bogobrush

Thanks TED and the TEDx Twin Cities community for the opportunity to learn!

-Heather

Food for Thought

Did you know it can take up to 450 years for a plastic bottle to decompose? Please think twice before you throw that soda bottle in the trash!

Real-Life Superheroes

Yesterday, February 26, activists in the Philippines rallied to send the message to their politicians to become more eco-minded.

The activists dressed in green superhero garb for a playful twist on a serious subject. “The country’s leaders should be green superheroes–not jokers or, worse, environmental villains,” says Francis Dela Cruz, the spokesman for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

It makes us here at Bogobrush so happy to see environmental awareness around the world!

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Gimmicks

We used and abused brushes from all around the world in search of the perfect shape. Bogobrush’s cylindrical form won’t force your hand into one position, it will enable effortless brushing in any hand, and any part of your mouth.

The Gospel of the Toothbrush

With yesterday, February 24, marking the 75th anniversary of the sale of the first nylon toothbrush, and February being Black History Month, what better time to honor Mr. Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute and preacher of “The Gospel of the Toothbrush”?

“In all my teaching I have watched carefully the influence of the tooth-brush, and I am convinced that there are few single agencies of civilization that are more far-reaching.”

Booker T. Washington took it upon himself to promote education in the classroom and beyond – to personal hygiene. He believed the toothbrush was an essential tool in making an impression and leading a successful life. Washington went so far as to require all students at Tuskegee to own a toothbrush.

Though today the toothbrush is simply a staple in most people’s lives, at one time, it was thought to offer “a higher degree of civilization” to those struggling to overcome social obstacles and adversity. It continues to be an necessary instrument for a healthy smile, and ultimately, a healthier life.