Gum can change the world; at least, that is what Cole T. Evans wants you to believe, that, and a little confidence with CONFADENT. CONFADENT Oral Technology is a break-through oral health care product, launched in Q1 of 2017. But the story certainly didn’t begin there.
CONFADENT is a peppermint-flavored, functional chewing gum, with FDA-approved active ingredients that help prevent plaque and gingivitis, whiten teeth, and freshen breath. The company is based out of Denver, Colorado, where, founder Cole T. Evans began to tinker with the mechanics of oral health care. “The concept began in high school, grew to a prototype in my dorm room during college, and present day is a commercially sold product,” states Evans. “It’s amazing to see how far this product has come.”
What makes it so special and unique? Most chewing gums in the market have become sugar-free, which enable a user to increase concentration of saliva movement in general. You can wash away some of the risks of acid attack if you chew sugar-free gum after a meal due to the increased activity of your saliva glands. This does not treat the decay and disease in your mouth. That is why CONFADENT has been created. The one-of-a-kind oral care product contains the active ingredients necessary to continually fight away the bacteria and plaque-buildup, so that consumers can obtain strong and healthy smiles.
CONFADENT Oral Technology’s big moment hit as the youth and thoughtfulness of the brand emerged a few years back. Evans was actually a Business School student who was enrolled in the Entrepreneurship program at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. In November 2015, the product competed in Trinity’s business plan competition and won the grand prize of $30,000, beating several graduate healthcare students and undergraduate teams from the business school.
It was after this that Evans decided to take his plan to a national stage at the Cupid’s Cup Competition hosted by the Founder and CEO of Under Armour, Kevin Plank. Evans was one of six entrepreneurs selected out of over 550 national applicants to present to a panel of judges including Kevin Plank, Dan Gilbert (CEO, Quicken Loans), Ariana Huffington (Founder, Huffington Post), and Wes Moore (New York Times Best Selling Author). CONFADENT’s Founder and President, Cole Evans, was awarded with the esteemed Kevin Plank’s Cupid’s Cup Entrepreneur of the Year cash prize award.
Fast-forward to present day, and the brand has transformed and grown to encompass other unique talents and experts. Keith Burge, co-founder and CEO of CONFADENT, has much in common with the his youthful companion—a love of the outdoors, passion for the Rocky Mountains, fly-fishing, g, and most importantly an interest and responsibility in changing the community for the better. Burge’s background is an extensive portfolio of founding, developing, and operating high-growth firms, ranging from start-ups to NASDAQ-exchange public companies.
Another integral part of the CONFADENT team is Michelle Lapierre. Her breadth of experience and expertise in the hospitality and direct to consumer marketing programs is vast and impressive. Along with Burge and Evans, Lapierre is influential in the feel, design and image of the brand. She also takes pride in her sparkling white, healthy mouth from chewing CONFADENT throughout the day.
While this seems like a Cinderella story about a product disrupter and open market space, it cannot be told without true anecdotes such as microwave oven explosions, gum stuck to everything from clothing to bedding to hair, and numerous trips to the store for replacement items for said microwaves, dress shirts, shoes, and more.
CONFADENT gum can be purchased online through confadent.com and Amazon. The demand for CONFADENT has been outrageous. In fact, there were over 50,000 requests within its first 72 hours online. “It’s been so exciting to watch the concept go from a college dream to a career in entrepreneurship. I am so thrilled to be able to travel with CONFADENT and fulfill an unmet need in the oral health care industry,” state Evans.
In addition, the CONFADENT team has never lost sight of the notion of giving back. Most recently they have formed a partnership up the nonprofit, Global Dental Relief, an organization that arranges small-group international volunteer experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds and professions, brightening smiles all over the world. Through this affiliation, CONFADENT Oral Technology will provide funding for a fluoride varnish treatment for 1,000 children.
CONFADENT’s mission is to provide a product for the person who is on the go and values keeping his or her mouth fresh and clean between the times they brush their teeth in the morning and evening. Studies have proven that individuals who have fresh breath and white teeth improve their personal business, because both attributes typically convey great health and hygiene, which translates to higher self esteem and confidence in the workplace. Visit Confadent.com.
