What is your company background, how did you start the business?
“Grin came about in 2013 following the growing demand for natural, chemical-free products. There were plenty of New Zealand made natural skin and beauty products in the market, however when it came to toothpaste the choices were very limited.”
“We discovered that many toothpastes contained unnecessary chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Parabens, Triclosan and artificial sweeteners. All of which were especially concerning when you consider that mouths are highly absorptive, hence why some medications are taken under the tongue. Unable to find an effective alternative that ticked all the boxes, we ended up working with a New Zealand laboratory to produce a toothpaste that was 100 percent natural and effective, and one which Kiwis would love.”
What is the current product range and variants, and how do they stand out in the market?
“Three years in, we now offer a range of 100 percent natural toothpastes, which use locally sourced and organic ingredients. We offer five kinds of toothpaste: Grin Whitening Toothpaste, Grin Cool Mint Toothpaste, Grin Strengthening Toothpaste and Grin Kids Toothpaste.”
“All of our toothbrushes have 100 percent biodegradable handles and packaging, and Grin customers have the choice of brush handles that are made from either sustainably sourced bamboo or non-GMO corn-starch. Additionally, customers have a choice of soft or medium premium charcoal-infused bristles which help to remove surface stains on the teeth and keep bacteria off your bristles.”
Has there been any recent company news?
“It has been a busy year for Grin. We launched our nation-wide campaign ‘Share A Grin’, which aims to raise the standard of oral health in New Zealand. This is done by educating Kiwis about the importance of oral hygiene and how to take better care of their mouths, along with a donation of 50,000 biodegradable brushes to Kiwi kids in need.”
“We also launched our new Grin Strengthening Toothpaste – a toothpaste that is designed to combat bacteria and strengthen teeth naturally with key ingredients: Hydroxyapatite, organic sea salt and Magnolia bark extract. This has quickly become one of our most popular toothpastes.”
“Finally, there was the launch of our new biodegradable corn-starch toothbrushes. Beautifully designed and available in a colour palette that includes ivory, navy, mint and pink, and pink and orange. The new corn-starch brushes are an eco-friendly alternative to the not-so-fantastic plastic toothbrush, and they are available in both soft and medium bristles.”
What are the plans for the business moving forward, are there any expansions on the horizon?
“We are continuing to focus on developing a few new products and aiming to launch these into the market late next year. We are also looking into expanding into international markets such as Australia and China.”
Where are your products currently available to buy, and are you looking at or wanting to expand your availability? If so, where would you like to see the product situated?
“Our products are currently available in all New World stores, selected Countdown and PAK’nSAVE stores, health and wellbeing shores, dental clinics, pharmacies and on grinnatural.co.nz. However, with more and more customers demanding natural and sustainable products, we would love to see Grin made available in all supermarkets nationwide.”
