Dr. Libbi Finnessy is the Founder & CEO of Gem Healthcare LLC.
Tell us about your company. What inspired you to start it?
As you may see, I run a dental practice in Bellevue, WA. After a few trips to Guatemala doing my own dental mission, in early 2018 I founded GEM Healthcare LLC. GEM stands for Global Enhancement Mission. While the oral care product space is a 54 billion dollar business – toothpaste itself has not been innovated since Colgate brought it to market in 1873. I created this company to solve two problems – one innovating the container and way toothpaste is dispensed. Creating a high-end fluoride toothpaste cosmetic product. People squish a tube, waste the paste, and dry out their product – also using way more than the suggested “pea-sized amount.” GEM fixes this problem. Also, it has been shown that more people in the world have cell phones than toothbrushes – this is absolutely unacceptable to me as its 2018. The V2 product is a dual dispensing unit of tooth gel and floss which has never been done before either -patent pending.
How is your company making a difference?
We are changing the world – bamboo biodegradable toothbrushes – refillable vegan floss, recyclable tooth serum dispenser with a give back. GEM changes the way people brush, live, and give.
What are some of the challenges you have faced?
Advisors, funding, isolation. CPG is not my wheelhouse as I run a dental practice.
What is your biggest win?
My determination, people’s willingness to look over my venture, a year of developing the perfect tooth serum, created dispenser, filed patents!
Who is your role model?
My mother.
What do you wish you had known before starting your company?
That it would take WAY longer and COST a lot more money.
