Smiling Brightly: Tory Burch Fellows Foundation Selects Dr. Paris Sabo As 2017 Pitch Competition Winner
Turning her toddler's toothpaste eating habit into a $100,000 grant investment win to grow her women-owned business.
IRVINE, Calif., May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Paris Sabo, owner of Dr. Brite, a natural oral care manufacturer based in Irvine, California that creates consumer products, has won the 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Pitch Competition. The annual competition, in only its second year, attracted over 800 women entrepreneurs who competed to be chosen as one of ten 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Fellows. Last week, each of the ten Fellows participated in three days of intensive coaching held in the heart of New York City with fashion designer and businesswoman Tory Burch, as well as, executives from her fashion brand and the team of her namesake foundation created in 2009. The week concluded with each Fellow pitching their products and companies to a who's who of judges comprised of business investors.
Dr. Paris Sabo won the Pitch Competition after sharing her story as a mom and, now former, cancer surgeon who started Dr. Brite to ensure effective products free of harsh chemicals could be affordable. She ended her presentation by swallowing a cup of mouthwash formula that she created with her business partner and sister, Pooneh Ramezani, DDS. The mouthwash is made entirely of food-grade ingredients, with over 95% being organic certified. While swallowing is not the recommended use for Dr. Brite's mouthwash and toothpaste, studies have found that both are safe to ingest. Recently, the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep® Cosmetic Database awarded Dr. Brite's Whitening Toothpaste and Cleansing Mouthwash with an EWG VERIFIED™ seal. The coveted EWG VERIFIED™ seal, from this large Washington DC non-profit, is earned only after detailed analysis confirms the product is safe and free of all toxins.
As the winner of the 2017 Tory Burch Foundation Pitch Competition, Dr. Sabo won a $100,000 investment grant for her personal care company, Dr. Brite, and year-long support of her professional career from the foundation. As a start-up, the $100,000 will help Dr. Brite flourish and grow to new levels, including plans for expanding its marketing and a complete overhaul of the brand's image. For Dr. Sabo, this was an incredible journey to meet a business woman she has admired since completing her surgical residency in New Jersey. Back in 2006, Dr. Sabo during her residency, took a train to Manhattan, and treated herself to a new handbag from a then newcomer to the fashion scene, Tory Burch. From buying a handbag designed by Ms. Burch to sharing a celebration dinner with her last week, Dr. Sabo feels truly grateful and looks forward to the journey filled with countless opportunities ahead.
About Dr. Brite
Dr. Brite is an oral and skin care company based in Irvine, California that delivers effective, natural products for the entire family. Launched by sister-doctor duo Paris Sabo MD and Pooneh Ram DDS, the company is a Certified B Corporation, Women-Owned and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. Proudly made in the USA with minimal environmental impact, Dr. Brite's products are formulated with responsibly-sourced organic, and non-GMO ingredients that are also 100% vegan.
To learn more about Dr. Brite, visit www.drbrite.com.
About the Tory Burch Foundation
The Tory Burch Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, education, and digital resources. Each year the foundation's Fellows Program provides ten Fellows with support to grow their businesses.
To learn more about the Tory Burch Foundation, visit www.ToryBurchFoundation.org.
Contact:
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SOURCE Dr. Brite
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