Pre-launch Tips to Help You Reach Millions

Executive Summary
Shopify Masters episode in which host Benjamin Gottlieb talks with the Suri founders, including Mark Rushmore and a co-founder whose name is garbled in the captions, about launching their sustainable electric toothbrush brand and reaching 30 million dollars in sales in two years. They say the idea was driven by the roughly one billion toothbrushes that, as they put it, end up in landfills each year, and describe plant-based recyclable heads and a 40-day battery. They say their different skill sets and diversity of thought were the key to their partnership, describe weekly self-guided therapy sessions during lockdown, and say a good enough product is not enough because you need something people really enjoy. They cite a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot and say skills from corporate careers, including at Procter and Gamble, helped with retail, pricing and negotiation. Sponsor named: Shopify, which hosts the show. PARTIAL COVERAGE: this note draws on the opening, the co-founder partnership, product enjoyment and corporate learnings sections, and may miss parts of the roughly 36 minute video. Ratings, sales and environmental figures are the founders' own and not independently checked. Nothing here is medical, dental, legal or financial advice.
Key Takeaways
A meaningful mission
One founder says he has zero doubt it is the right thing for the consumer and the planet and something his children could be proud of.
Toothbrush waste
They say about one billion toothbrushes end up in landfills each year, which drove their sustainable design.
Complementary co-founders
They say co-founder conflict is a common reason startups fail, and their different skill sets and diversity of thought were their success.
Working on the relationship
They say the partnership is a constant work in progress and describe Friday self-guided therapy sessions during lockdown.
More than a minimum product
They say anyone can rebrand an average product, so to cut through you need something people really enjoy and get behind.
Reviews as a base
They say a 4.8 rating from almost 7,000 Trustpilot reviews has been a bedrock of growth.
Corporate skills
They say corporate careers taught retail, merchandising, pricing and negotiation skills they use every day.
The Conversation Breakdown
A meaningful mission
⏱ Untimed topicOne founder says he has zero doubt it is the right thing for the consumer and the planet and something his children could be proud of.
Toothbrush waste
⏱ Untimed topicThey say about one billion toothbrushes end up in landfills each year, which drove their sustainable design.
Complementary co-founders
⏱ Untimed topicThey say co-founder conflict is a common reason startups fail, and their different skill sets and diversity of thought were their success.
Working on the relationship
⏱ Untimed topicThey say the partnership is a constant work in progress and describe Friday self-guided therapy sessions during lockdown.
More than a minimum product
⏱ Untimed topicThey say anyone can rebrand an average product, so to cut through you need something people really enjoy and get behind.
Reviews as a base
⏱ Untimed topicThey say a 4.8 rating from almost 7,000 Trustpilot reviews has been a bedrock of growth.
Corporate skills
⏱ Untimed topicThey say corporate careers taught retail, merchandising, pricing and negotiation skills they use every day.
Core Frameworks & Ideas
Diversity of thought - the founders' co-founder principle
Pair different skill sets and expect to work at the relationship.
More than minimum viable - the founders' product bar
Build something people truly enjoy so it cuts through.
Obsess over small details - the founders' craft rule
Scrutinize details such as fonts and phrases.
Actionable Next Steps
- ✓Write down how your skills and your co-founder's differ and where they overlap.
- ✓Ask customers what they actually enjoy about your product and say it in your brand.
- ✓Review small details in your packaging and copy for polish.
- ✓Treat the ratings, sales and environmental claims as the founders' own, not as advice.
Notable Quotes
“if you really want to cut through in the market you have to have something that people really enjoy and get behind”
“that diversity of thought is what has been our success”
“we really really care about the little details”
The One Thing to Remember
The Suri founders say a belief in a meaningful product, complementary co-founders and obsessive attention to detail let them cut through a crowded market.