Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Elbaz.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always had an internal desire to be my own boss and write my own story. Much of this drive can be attributed to the influence of my father, who emigrated to Los Angeles and built a thriving business from the ground up. During my time at Loyola Marymount University, I discovered my passion for business through my favorite classes, which revolved around entrepreneurship — laying the foundation for my future endeavors.
After graduating, I worked in the financial services industry, gaining valuable experience along the way. However, my entrepreneurial spirit and the belief in my own abilities eventually spurred me to take a leap of faith and start my own business.
People often ask how I got into the dental products industry. Well, having a father who ranks as the #1 Periodontist in California (and who is one of the world’s leading practitioners and experts) certainly helped. Moreover, from a young age, I was captivated by tangible consumer products and their potential impact.
While working in Finance, I began noticing a surge in awareness and demand within the personal care sector. This sparked an idea in my mind: if Michael Jordan could create his own brand of basketball shoes, why not apply a similar dynamic to revolutionize the stagnant oral care product market? With the leading clinical expert by my side, the missing piece was to develop effective and user-friendly products.
And thus, bäz was born. I co-founded bäz alongside my father, Dr. Jean-Jacques Elbaz. Our mission was to seamlessly merge the medical and consumer perspectives, creating innovative, clinically-effective products that enhance oral hygiene while providing an enjoyable user experience. Driven by our unwavering commitment to excellence, each product delivers powerful and enduring results that are visible and tangible, all while prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Driven by our vision, we established a strong online direct-to-consumer presence. More recently, we expanded our reach by partnering with select retailers, and are delighted to announce that our first retail account is with EREWHON. We can be found throughout all of their locations, and are proudly one of the top-selling products in our category.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all.
I suddenly found myself immersed in working with professionals from several vastly different fields: Product Development & Manufacturing, Oral Hygiene, and Branding/Marketing. These were areas I had no prior experience in. Effective communication became crucial, as each sector had its own industry jargon. Therefore, I had to quickly learn how to effectively communicate with professionals in these fields. To bridge the knowledge gap, I conducted extensive research, enrolled in online crash courses, and actively networked with industry veterans.
Furthermore, we faced the reality of market dynamics. Gathering customer feedback became essential, which led to implementing various ideas and suggestions. We went through a process of trial and error to determine the most effective approaches. Along the way, we encountered challenges and had to adapt by applying more sustainable strategies.
Just to name a couple.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are an oral care wellness brand that recognizes the integral role our mouth plays as the gateway to our overall health. At our core, we emphasize the importance of oral hygiene in maintaining overall well-being.
At the forefront of our innovation lies our flagship product, the Gumline Cleaner. This invention is designed to combat gum disease by targeting its root cause — the gum line. By utilizing a gentle tracing motion along the gum line, (similar to the motion in which windshield wipers are used), our Gumline Cleaner allows you to effectively remove the sticky plaque that traditional toothbrushes and floss are unable to reach. Furthermore, the massaging action contributes to the reduction of gum inflammation, bleeding, and recession. It offers a comprehensive solution in the fight against gum disease.
We take immense pride in the fact that our Gumline Cleaners and packaging are exclusively manufactured in Southern California using recyclable materials. By incorporating sustainable practices into our production, we are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint.
Our brand embodies the intersection of oral care and wellness, and we strive to revolutionize the way in which people take care of and prioritize their oral health.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I can’t name just one thing because the reality is that I love everything about LA. I love the weather, laid-back lifestyle, and the fact that you can experience so much over here.
But if I had to mention something I like least about LA, it would be the image perpetuated by the media. Often, our city is portrayed as a hub of fake people and unbearable traffic. In reality, LA is home to millions of diverse individuals, and its vastness offers a spectrum of experiences — both negative and positive. You can truly find anything here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bazdental.com
- Instagram: @bazdental
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bazdental
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bazdental
