Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Paul.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s such an honor to speak with you as well! I was raised by hippie parents on a dairy farm so I was familiar with all things “natural;” however, it wasn’t till I gave birth to my twin girls that I really had to learn how to read a label because one of my daughters was allergic to over 25 different foods. I was shocked at some of the ingredients in our food supply and that knowledge eventually translated into looking at what was in oral care products. Being a dental hygienist for over 15 years at the time, I could not find a product line that was completely natural AND effective so I created my own. I now have a mouthwash, toothpaste, breath spray, and 2 pet products on the market that are chemical and toxin free. All of my formulations started in my kitchen but we have grown tremendously and now manufacture out of Dawson, GA. There were many times I felt like giving up because I faced so many challenges over the years and even blew up my kitchen trying to perfect my toothpaste (literally!), but it was all worth it and I wouldn’t trade all of my failures because it’s made me into who I am today. I’m proud that our motto is Ditch the Toxins and to be made in the USA.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Oh the challenges!! There is SO much that goes into getting a product to market. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into but God always seemed to make a way where there was no way. The doors just seemed to open when they needed to and the right people would show up at the perfect time. My investor was actually the husband of a patient of mine. She loved the mouthwash so much she told her husband about it and they believed in both me and product enough to give us our start. Getting my toothpaste perfected was probably the most challenging of tasks as I was determined to bring a toothpaste to market that was not abrasive, helped with sensitive teeth and was a natural whitener. NOT being a chemist, I was experimenting in my kitchen one day and added water to HOT oil…I started to hear a very strange noise as the liquid started to explode out of the pot. I told my girls to run as a volcano of hot coconut oil erupted all the way to my ceiling. It smelled like a peppermint bomb had gone off and oil oozed out of my stove for weeks after. Not to mention the permanent stain on my ceiling and blown out burner. Fun times!
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I’m a certified biological dental hygienist and registered dental hygienist for over 25 years so I know what works and what doesn’t work. There are several products on the market created by dentists, but none by dental hygienists. We are the ones who see the patients the most and our specialty is gum health. These products were created with my patients’ dental needs in mind and I believe that as a consumer, you will notice a difference in how your mouth feels. People tend to disassociate their mouth from their overall health, but if you have a disease in your mouth, you have systemic disease. Over 85% of Americans have some form of gum disease. I hope to educate people on how true health really starts with your mouth and the importance of using products that are chemical free since your mouth is THE most vascular part of your whole body. Even products that are so-called “all-natural” tend to have ingredients that are not good for your teeth or body. Perfect example, glycerin! Glycerin coats teeth and prevents re-mineralization. Also, hydrated silica, charcoal, bentonite clay, carrageenan, TEA, carbomers, fluoride, SLS, CPC, poloxamer 407, sodium saccharin and alcohol are all ingredients to avoid as well.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
DON’T GIVE UP! I think too many times, great ideas fall by the way side because it takes hard work, diligence, sacrifice and determination to see something through. I know that God gave me my talents and the idea for this business wasn’t my own, but a higher calling that I answered to. There were so many times I wanted to give up because it isn’t easy…my husband and I sacrificed owning a home for much of our marriage because we put our money into this business instead. If you believe in something, stick with it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and end the relationships that bring you down. We lost several “friends” along the way, but the true ones stuck it out with us and encouraged us on our journey. Most of all, make positive thinking your mantra and be “The Little Engine that Could,” because you can!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success to me isn’t just financial, it’s being the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I want to be the best wife, mom, dental hygienist and business owner that I can be. Money is nothing if you lose what’s most important along the way…and that’s yourself or your family. My husband had to remind me a time or two that I was focusing too much on the business…and he was right. I learned to listen to him and take criticism when it was sometimes hard to hear but I believe the really successful people in life are open to hearing the hard stuff. I always tried to keep God first, then family, then everything else and when it’s in that order, things tend to fall in place. I give all praise and glory to God for bringing me this far. I know the reason that God gave this business to me was so we could support non-profit ministries. We now have 2 ministries that we fund, one in Uganda and the other in Peru that deal with orphaned, sex-trafficked or abused children. I can’t wait till SSM grows to support hundreds of other ministries as it’s my goal to donate at least 20% of profits back into helping others.
What’s next for you?
My dream is to be in every store in America, both small and large. I think people shouldn’t have to shop at health food stores specifically to get a variety of natural products. There are a couple of “natural” options in your chain stores but I would love my products to be readily available to the average consumer. I hope to have a large enough platform that will enable me to educate people on the importance of systemic health because TRUE health really STARTS with your mouth and for SSM to be synonymous with excellence in oral care. Also, a word of advice…don’t avoid the dentist because it will cost you way more in the long run and please, please, please, floss the teeth you want to keep!
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
People can visit my website www.simplysilvermouthwash.com to purchase products, read my blogs, visit my YouTube channel (Simply Silver Mouthwash) or buy my books to really learn more. I created a handbook called Dentistry for Dummies and made it affordable so people wouldn’t be taken advantage of in the dental chair. My email is heather@simplysilvermouthwash.com and I am available as a public speaker or dental consultant as well. I love to hear from my customers as to what topics they are interested in and would love your feedback in general. Remember…Simply Silver…simply smile!!
Blessings,
Heather the Hygienist