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Chew on This!
Sean Hager experienced a series of setbacks that led him to create an innovative dental care product. Sow Flow Toothpaste Tablets offer a brand new way to brush your teeth.
by Angie Kay Dilmore
In 2020, Sean Hager was enjoying life as a campground host in the Ozark National Forest. The campground closed that year due to COVID concerns, so in August he moved back home to Lake Charles. His plan was to train and hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada with his dog, Treble. Hurricane Laura struck two weeks after he returned, destroying his home and possessions. Then the PCT closed due to COVID. So, Hager converted his vehicle into a camper van of sorts, and he and Treble set off on an adventure to see America. In May 2021, on a beautiful day in a Utah desert, an errant driver crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Hager’s car, severely injuring both him and Treble. “We almost lost our lives,” he says. After two weeks recovering in a hospital, they both returned home to Lake Charles to heal.
Seeking a new direction, Hager focused on his desire to create something unique and useful. “I’ve always prioritized creativity. I believe that innovation is one of the highest forms of creation, to imagine something that doesn’t exist yet.”
He considered several different product ideas, but Hager’s lack of formal engineering training limited his options. Potentially inspired by his great-grandfather, who was a dentist, Hager landed on the idea of formulating a better toothpaste tablet as an alternative to toothpastes in traditional plastic tubes. As with most anything worth pursuing, the three-year process has presented challenges and details that Hager continues to work through.
The first year, he focused on market research: understanding the product, learning about the competition, the history of toothbrushing tablets and where they came from, and working to find investors.
Next came product development. Hager brought in a toothpaste formulator who helped him develop the structure of the tablet and determine the best ingredients for his product. Sow Flow tablets contain no preservatives and no artificial dyes or sweeteners. Instead of fluoride, he added nano-hydroxyapatite to help prevent tooth decay.
Once he established the composition of the tablets, Hager bought a tablet compression machine. The first one didn’t work well and was impossible to fix, so he sourced a second machine. “I made thousands of tablet variations until I got something that was structurally sound, something that tasted and performed the way I wanted it to,” he says.
Hager gradually started putting his product out into the community, dipping his toes into the murky waters of marketing and looking for feedback. Though there are other brands of tablets out there, he feels his product stands out. “I’m zeroing in on families and the challenges they often face getting kids to brush their teeth. I don’t see many tablets made specifically for kids. The novelty of brushing with these tablets is exciting.” Hager is especially proud of his flavor profiles—Gumberry Twist is a fun strawberry-lime bubblegum fusion. For adults, Cinna-Mintal is an explosion of cinnamon and peppermint. Toothbrushing tablets also appeal to eco-conscious consumers. “It’s estimated that 400 million used toothpaste tubes are added to U.S. landfills every year,” Hager adds.
Financing is often a major hurdle for budding start-ups and Hager is no exception. He’s been working with Louisiana business incubators and continues to seek investors. Engineers, manufacturing, marketing and even the patent process are all significant expenses. But Hager says he perseveres because he believes in his product. “Honestly, it’s a God thing. I feel there is a plan, and I have a responsibility to see this through. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me–my family, my girlfriend, my investors and to God for giving me this opportunity. We’ll see where it goes!”
Hager intends to market his product via his website, sowflow.solutions. He is currently in the pre-launch phase. To follow his progress and express interest in these toothpaste tablets, join the Sow Flow email list on his website for launch updates and early access to his opening offer.
